Boxing: Dutch boxer Megan de Cler defies her federation, claims she's not playing for Netherlands in WWCH 2023

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New Delhi, Mar 17: The Netherlands have been amongst the European nations to boycott the ongoing IBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2023 due to the presence of Russian athletes at the marquee event in India.

However, in stark contrast to her national, Dutch boxer Megan de Cler has decided to compete in the tournament under the banner of IBA at the mega event.

Megan is the only pugilist from 11 nations who have boycotted the decision of the global boxing body, International Boxing Association (IBA), to lift the ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes in the competition.

Both Russia and Belarus are facing criticism from several countries due to the ongoing war against Ukraine which has impacted the lives of millions. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has allowed athletes from both countries to participate in the competition under their flag, irking many.

The BFI's move is against the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recommendations. 11 countries, including USA, Britain, Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Poland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Switzerland and Norway have given the tournament a miss due to India's decision.

Many countries have also announced that their boxers are going to skip the upcoming men's World Championships in May which is slated to be held in Tashkent.

USA Boxing was the first federation to announce it will not participate in the two events. However, de Cler (63kg) competed under a neutral banner in the light welterweight category on Friday defeating Nilufar Boboyorova of Tajikistan.

While interacting with media persons on Friday (March 17) after her bout, de Cler told the media, "I am not playing for the Netherlands, I am here on my own. I don't do politics, I do boxing that's why I'm here. I'm here for my own."

de Cler - who is the lone boxer from the Netherlands in the competition - held the IBA flag at the opening ceremony on March 15.

She was also asked if she is expecting any sanctions from the Dutch Federation for her actions, and said, "I don't know yet."

Earlier this month, the IBA opened disciplinary proceedings against five officials for "inciting a boycott" of the Women's and Men's World Championship.

The officials include Executive Director/CEO of USA Boxing Mike McAtee, President of Boxing Canada Ryan O'Shea, Czech Boxing Association President Marek Šimák, Swedish Boxing Association Chairman Per-Axel Sjöholm, and Boxing New Zealand President Steve Hartley.

Boxing New Zealand did not boycott the event and in a statement, it claimed that it would prefer that the athletes not attend the competition but left the decision to the boxers. Interestingly, six pugilists from New Zealand are participating in the New Delhi event.