Thapa faction organized a press conference on Sunday and said the ´election´ held on Saturday was illegal. "There was dispute over the number of member districts and we could not resolve it though we exercised for the whole day. As the NBA president, I postponed the general assembly for 6 pm but I was shocked to know that the Shrestha faction held the election ignoring accepted procedures," said Thapa. [break]
Shrestha faction had conducted election on Saturday claiming that a majority of general assembly members wanted election to be held by Saturday. The two factions were involved in confrontation after representatives from 19 districts, which were yet to get official recognition, asked for voting rights. There were only 26 member districts officially recognized by NBA before the general assembly began.
"After I postponed the general assembly, the election committee appointed by National Sports Council (NSC) had also left the venue. In this situation, we can´t accept the election. We´ll report it to NSC, sports ministry and if they don´t listen to us, we´ll move the court," said Thapa.
"International Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) was against me as I supported Thailand. Rajiv Shrestha has been conspiring since," he added.
"International agency wanted to kick me out and appoint Rajiv Shrestha to the post. Nepal Olympic Committee favors Rajiv as he is a member of the committee. Also, NSC pressed me to call a general assembly," said Thapa.
"However, Nepali boxing community and senior players and coaches were not ready to accept him as the president since he has no boxing background. NBA should be led by a boxer not by an outsider, opined Thapa. He said he himself had introduced Shrestha to NBA.
NSC to study reports
NSC Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama said the dispute within NBA has wrecked the game and demoralized players. "One faction walked out of the general assembly while the other conducted election without informing the election committee," said Lama. "I´m dissatisfied with both the factions," he added.
He said he has asked the election committee appointed by NSC to prepare a detailed report on the issue. "I´ll not take any action until the Sixth National Games conclude. I´ll study the legal grounds before taking any decision. If both the sides fail to establish their legitimacy, NSC can form an ad-hoc committee after the National Games," said Lama.
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