SOUTH Africa's amateur boxers are out in the cold after the sport's governing body, the International Boxing Association (Aiba), suspended the national organisation, largely because of alleged interference by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).

In a letter sent to the SA National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) at the weekend, Aiba executive director Ho Kim wrote that Aiba's executive had "decided to provisionally suspend Sanabo from Aiba with effect from [Sunday]".

Kim said SA's boxers were barred from international competition: "For the avoidance of doubt, no officials, boxers or coaches shall be entitled to participate in any Aiba confederation competition at any level."

The world championships are scheduled for October.

Sascoc put Sanabo into administration last year, but Aiba took issue with the elections for the new executive in December last year.

There were claims that a Sascoc representative had tried to influence delegates to his way of thinking, and that some of the procedures had been flawed.

"Sanabo was called upon to organise new elections to take place no later than August 10. Sanabo was also requested to send to Aiba a copy of the current version of the Sanabo statutes or constitution so that our legal department may review and approve the contents," Kim said. "However, Sanabo has failed to provide the requested documentation and organise new elections."

Asked for comment, Sascoc chief executive Tubby Reddy said yesterday: "We have provided the necessary documentation to Aiba and are awaiting comment and the way forward from them."