The report, compiled by the mainly Protestant club, led to calls for the establishment of a separate Northern Ireland amateur boxing association, calls which were supported by Stormont Assembly members in November last year.

Today's report, issued by the Independent Working Group, dismissed this idea however, warning a new body would split boxing for generations to come.

"Some of boxing representatives made the case for a Northern Ireland Boxing Federation being set up to develop the reputation of young boxers from Northern Ireland on the international stage and to guarantee them more high-level fighting exposure," read the report.

"However, the Independent Working Group feels strongly that the division created by such a move would split boxing for generations to come.

"The Independent Working Group believes the formation of a separate and competing Northern Ireland Boxing Federation would not resolve the sectarian tensions around national representation or club rivalry but would effectively segregate boxing in Ulster.

"Furthermore, future club competitions are likely to be more rather than less contentious with higher risks for individual competitors and clubs."

Boxers from Northern Ireland are not able to compete for Team GB at an Olympics unless they relocate to a club within Great Britain despite the Good Friday Agreement giving them the right to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both
©Getty Images



The report added that boxers from Northern Ireland should have the option, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, the deal signed in 1998 which has effectively brought peace to Ireland, of aiming to represent Britain in Olympic Games or other international tournaments.

Current Northern Ireland boxers can only represent Ireland in international competition unless they relocate to Britain.

"The Independent Working Group believes that the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, along with other sports, should consider what creative ways could be found to enable elite representation of individual Ulster boxers in either Team GB or Ireland teams at the Olympics," the report said.

"Having considered this issue, the Independent Working Group believes that it would be very important to clarify the legal implications of the Good Friday Agreement and, in particular to ascertain whether it creates a legal obligation for all sporting bodies in Northern Ireland to facilitate athletes to compete for Team GB, Ireland or both, as they may so choose."

The issue of national representation has been a highly contentious one in recent months with golfer Rory McIlroy facing a similar predicament in his choice of nationality for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, individuals have the right to identify themselves as Irish, British or both as they see fit.

The Independent Working Group said it was of key importance that the legal implications of the Belfast Agreement for athletes in Northern Ireland were clarified.

It said that the IABA, the British Amateur Boxing Association and the Amateur International Boxing Association should work together to identify the implications of the agreement for national representation and implement any recommendations, including devising a plan to accommodate Ulster boxers who might represent Team GB.

Northern Ireland's Patrick Barnes and Michael Conlon both won medals for Ireland at London 2012 ©Getty Images



Proposals to allow Ulster boxers to compete for team GB at the Olympic Games could be met with opposition from the IABA and the Olympic Council of Ireland who could see it as detrimental to the medal efforts of the nation during the Olympics.

Of the four medals won by Ireland in the ring at London 2012, two came from boxers based in Northern Ireland - Michael Conlan and Patrick Barnes.

Should these two athletes chose to box for Britain, if the proposals were to be approved, then Ireland could find themselves dropping down the medal table at the next Olympics.

Although only a theory, the IABI will surely take these thoughts into account when making a decision on whether to allow boxers to compete for Great Britain, whilst still being affiliated with clubs in Northern Ireland.

When questioned on the issue, a spokesperson for the IABI told insidethegames that the organisation has taken note of the report and left a statement on their website, however, they will not delve any further into the issue until the members have had time to digest and discuss the report in detail.

The statement on the IABI's website, given by chief executive Fergal Carruth, read: "The Irish Amateur Boxing Association has just received the Report of the Independent Working Group and would like to thank its members for their participation and dedication over the last nine monthsexamining boxing in Ulster.

"Boxing has a lot to be proud of.

"Throughout the worst of the conflict in Northern Ireland boxingprovided an opportunity for both sides of the community to unite for love of the sport.

"We are confident that we can continue to build on this reputation and build even stronger communityrelations in Ulster".

"The IABA will examine the findings in the report and take some time to consult with its membership before delivering a response in the new year."

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