After the communication "of 17 May 2024, informing us that our contract with Jeunesse et Sport will end on 31 December 2024, due to ethical breaches resulting from our affiliation to the IBA. Until this date, all our regular activities will not be affected and we will continue to receive their subsidies."

The President's letter to the members of SwissBoxing states that an appeal has been lodged "and as the appeal has suspensive effect, the agreements with BASPO will remain in force for the duration of the procedure (which could last up to two years). At the same time, a dialogue has been initiated with the Swiss authorities with a view to finding an amicable solution".

The decision could have a serious impact on youth sport and light contact, even though their association and discipline have no direct link with high performance sport (amateur boxing), the IBA or any other professional boxing organisation such as the EBU, WBC, WBO and others.

SwissBoxing states that the lack of an international body with a unified international calendar also has a negative impact on the development of boxers and athletes, hindering their growth and progress. In this regard, it highlights the coincidence of several tournaments.

"World Boxing will host its first Youth World Championships from 25 October to 5 November 2024 in the USA. The federations of India, Barbados, Dominica, Peru and Singapore joined World Boxing last month, taking the number of affiliated federations to 33. Meanwhile, the IBA will host the World Youth Boxing Championships in Budva, Montenegro, from 20 October to 6 November 2024," said Orfia.

In view of the current situation, the President outlines in his letter that if there is to be a change in the thinking and approach within SwissBoxing, this change must come about through the vote and decision of its members and not through any kind of pressure. "While the decision of the SwissBoxing General Assembly 2023 may now be questioned, I would like to reiterate that the welfare of boxing in Switzerland is my only interest. I do not take any political stance. It is important that each member of SwissBoxing can set goals and take the necessary steps to achieve them. Our decision at the General Assembly 2023 allowed us to take part in the European Elite Championships, the European Youth Championships and numerous tournaments with important nations that are still members of the IBA, such as France, Ireland, Spain and others."

He said, "If the delegates of SwissBoxing want to change their minds, as true democracy allows, it should only be after the presentation of comprehensive information to the members so that they can choose what is best for them and their boxers."

In this situation, Orfia encouraged to "continue to monitor the situation and the decisions of the IOC and to engage in dialogue with the parties concerned".

The withdrawal of subsidies was undoubtedly the most important element in the letter from the President of the Swiss Federation. However, it was not the only one. In order to inform his members, he also chose to discuss the issue of prizes for Olympic athletes. Orfia explained the contacts he had made at the World Olympic Qualifiers in Bangkok. 

The IBA made the following statement, "IBA will pay prize money to Olympic boxers". A press release from the IBA stating that "they will offer cash prizes ranging from USD 100,000 for the gold medal to USD 25,000 for the bronze medal during the Olympic Games, in addition to rewarding their coaches and respective national federations."

The IOC's response was that "the Olympic Games are organised entirely by the IOC itself, in particular by its Paris Boxing Unit (PBU). Furthermore, the IOC has clearly stated that it will be impossible for national federations which are members of the PBU to be part of the 2028 Olympic Games. At the same time, boxing remains excluded from the programme of the 2028 Games."

This scenario is "a difficult situation", says Orfia, who maintains that "we must make the necessary efforts to keep boxing in the Olympic Games, but we have no guarantee that these efforts will be sufficient."

The president of SwissBoxing also informed his members of the contacts he had in Bangkok with Elise Seignolle, a member of the USA Boxing Council, and Boris van der Vorst, the president of World Boxing. Orfia said, "At this moment, I can only confirm the support of the IOC for World Boxing, especially with the provision of a World Boxing Lounge during the Olympic Qualification."