Minister for Sport Jack Chambers has confirmed amateur boxing in Ireland is to have funding restored after it emerged that Sport Ireland are satisfied with the governance reforms agreed upon by the IABA since September.
Funding will hinge on the execution of agreed reforms, chiefly regarding governance, culture change, board structure and the safeguarding of grassroots and high performance structures.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Minister Chambers confirmed the news.
"On the basis of that agreement the conditions are now in place to restore funding over the coming weeks," he said.
Back in August, a 15% reduction in the IABA's core funding was imposed after members of amateur boxing's national governing body voted to reject proposed governance reforms at their EGM in Roscommon.
That vote came just two months on from Bernard Dunne's resignation as the IABA's high performance director and Minister Chambers pointed to the progress between then and now.
"The implementation of what is agreed will be fundamental but I welcome the fact that we've moved from a point of no reform to where we have an agreement in place between Sport Ireland and the IABA," the Minister said.
Minister Chambers namechecked European gold medallists Amy Broadhurst, Kellie Harrington and Aoife O'Rourke and asserted that the country's extensive pool of amateur boxing talent must continue to be supported.
"The focus now is on ensuring they [athletes] get the best support and that we strengthen the participation levels in boxing around the country," he said.
Elsewhere, while not speculating on dates, the Minister said he would work with everyone involved to secure a Croke Park fight for Katie Taylor.
"As Minister for Sport I would love to see Katie Taylor fight in Ireland.
"She has been inspiring for so many young people and it would be great to see her fight on home soil.
"We will work with Katie Taylor's team on doing everything we can to make it happen," Minister Chambers concluded.
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