The women's world boxing championship scheduled next month in Turkey could be postponed because of the high COVID-19 case load being registered in the country, a spokesperson of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) told PTI on Tuesday.

The decision to postpone the championships could be announced anytime this week. The tournament was tentatively planned from December 4 to 18 in Istanbul.

"It is highly likely that the world championship would be postponed as many countries have expressed reservations about travelling to Turkey because of the COVID cases there," an AIBA spokesperson told PTI in a telephonic conversation.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics-ioc-to-make-decision-on-weightlifting-and-boxing-as-soon-as-possible-424782">Olympics-IOC to make decision on weightlifting and boxing 'as soon as possible'</a>

"There has already been a round-table on this involving AIBA President Umar Kremlev during which several countries have expressed their apprehension. A decision on this will be announced very soon this week. We don't want a depleted field because of the pandemic," the spokesperson added.

The event could be held in the first half of next year.

Turkey logged 27,824 COVID cases on Monday. The country also reported 187 deaths on the day because of the deadly infection that has wreaked havoc for the past two years. The surge in cases has been attributed to the delta variant of the virus.

India was to be represented by the reigning national champions in all weight categories except for 70kg division in which Olympic bronze-medallist Lovlina Borgohain has been given direct selection.

Her direct selection has been opposed by national gold-winner and world youth champion Arundhati Choudhary, who has taken the matter to Delhi High Court.

However, a postponement would, in all likelihood, force trial bouts across weight categories.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/was-boxing-in-rio-olympics-2016-rigged-independent-probe-reveals-shocking-details-of-bout-manipulation-417377">Was boxing in Rio Olympics 2016 rigged? Independent probe reveals shocking details of 'bout manipulation'</a>

For the first time ever, the AIBA announced a prize money fund of USD 2.4 million for medal winners across 12 weight categories.

The prize for first place has been kept USD 100 000. The silver-medallists would receive USD 50,000 and both bronze winners in each weight category would be richer by USD 25,000.

The world body had also announced that AIBA Extraordinary Congress would be held during the championships, and major reforms of the organisation will be announced.

In July, AIBA increased the women's weight categories from 10 to 12. The new divisions are 48kg, 50kg, 52kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 63kg, 66kg, 70kg, 75kg, 81kg, and +81kg. The world body recently conducted the men's world championship in Belgrade and even welcomed fans into the arena.&nbsp;

The women's world boxing championship scheduled next month in Turkey could be postponed because of the high COVID-19 case load being registered in the country, a spokesperson of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) told PTI on Tuesday.

The women's world boxing championship scheduled next month in Turkey could be postponed because of the high COVID-19 case load being registered in the country, a spokesperson of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) told PTI on Tuesday. The decision to postpone the championships could be announced anytime this week. The tournament was tentatively planned from December 4 to 18 in Istanbul. "It is highly likely that the world championship would be postponed as many countries have expressed reservations about travelling to Turkey because of the COVID cases there," an AIBA spokesperson told PTI in a telephonic conversation. ALSO READ: Olympics-IOC to make decision on weightlifting and boxing 'as soon as possible' "There has already been a round-table on this involving AIBA President Umar Kremlev during which several countries have expressed their apprehension. A decision on this will be announced very soon this week. We don't want a depleted field because of the pandemic," the spokesperson added. The event could be held in the first half of next year. Turkey logged 27,824 COVID cases on Monday. The country also reported 187 deaths on the day because of the deadly infection that has wreaked havoc for the past two years. The surge in cases has been attributed to the delta variant of the virus. India was to be represented by the reigning national champions in all weight categories except for 70kg division in which Olympic bronze-medallist Lovlina Borgohain has been given direct selection. Her direct selection has been opposed by national gold-winner and world youth champion Arundhati Choudhary, who has taken the matter to Delhi High Court. However, a postponement would, in all likelihood, force trial bouts across weight categories. ALSO READ: Was boxing in Rio Olympics 2016 rigged? Independent probe reveals shocking details of 'bout manipulation' For the first time ever, the AIBA announced a prize money fund of USD 2.4 million for medal winners across 12 weight categories. The prize for first place has been kept USD 100 000. The silver-medallists would receive USD 50,000 and both bronze winners in each weight category would be richer by USD 25,000. The world body had also announced that AIBA Extraordinary Congress would be held during the championships, and major reforms of the organisation will be announced. In July, AIBA increased the women's weight categories from 10 to 12. The new divisions are 48kg, 50kg, 52kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 63kg, 66kg, 70kg, 75kg, 81kg, and +81kg. The world body recently conducted the men's world championship in Belgrade and even welcomed fans into the arena.

AIBA women's world boxing postponed due to rising COVID-19 cases

Six-time World Boxing Champion MC Mary Kom on Thursday added another feather to her illustrious cap by attaining number one position in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) latest world rankings. &nbsp;

Kom became the most successful boxer in world championships' history after she claimed the 48kg category top honours in New Delhi in November last year.&nbsp;

In the rankings put out by AIBA, Mary Kom is placed top of the charts in the weight division with 1700 points.&nbsp;

She will have to jump to 51kg in pursuit of her 2020 Olympic dream as 48kg is not yet included in the Games roster.&nbsp;

In 2018, Mary Kom picked up gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a tournament in Poland. She also won a silver at the prestigious Strandja Memorial in Bulgaria. 
&nbsp;

Six-time World Boxing Champion MC Mary Kom on Thursday added another feather to her illustrious cap by attaining number one position in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) latest world rankings.

Six-time World Boxing Champion MC Mary Kom on Thursday added another feather to her illustrious cap by attaining number one position in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) latest world rankings. Kom became the most successful boxer in world championships' history after she claimed the 48kg category top honours in New Delhi in November last year. In the rankings put out by AIBA, Mary Kom is placed top of the charts in the weight division with 1700 points. She will have to jump to 51kg in pursuit of her 2020 Olympic dream as 48kg is not yet included in the Games roster. In 2018, Mary Kom picked up gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a tournament in Poland. She also won a silver at the prestigious Strandja Memorial in Bulgaria.

Mary Kom becomes new world No.1 in AIBA rankings

Women&nbsp;boxers&nbsp;training for a world championship starting in the Indian capital this week are wearing surgical masks, scarves and even T-shirts across their mouths as the level of air pollution rises several times beyond the safe limit.

The AIBA&nbsp;Women's World Boxing Championships is taking place in an indoor stadium from Thursday through to November 24 but teams are complaining about a toxic smog hanging over the city, caused by seasonal burning of crop stubble and emissions from vehicles and industry.

The weather, with no wind to blow the pollution away, has aggravated the problem in one of the world's most polluted cities.

"My family is worried. We know it is not good for our body," said 27-year old Bulgarian Stanimira Petrova, a gold-medallist in the bantamweight category in the championships in 2014.

"It's difficult. I wear a scarf but I have to get accustomed."

On Tuesday, the level of deadly particulate matter PM 2.5 that lodge deep in the lungs was at 407, about eight times the safe limit, according to a reading by the pollution control board.

Authorities have banned the entry of heavy vehicles into the city and ordered construction work to stop and sprinklers to keep down the dust. But the air quality remains in the severe zone.

Seven European&nbsp;boxers&nbsp;whom Reuters spoke to complained that the air left a bad taste and irritated their eyes.

Their coaches said they were advised about the poor air but organisers had not given them any protective gear.

Ajay Singh, president of the Boxing Federation of India, said Delhi's air quality was improving as the effects of last week's Hindu festival of Diwali - when tens of thousands of firecrackers are let off, clogging the air with smoke - were wearing off.

"I'm confident there will not be any problems faced by the&nbsp;boxers&nbsp;especially with the championship being held indoors. We have all the necessary standards maintained and precautions taken."

Indian Olympic flyweight bronze medallist MC&nbsp;Mary Kom is among those taking part.
<img alt="France's Mona Mestiaen removes a mask after her practice session ahead of AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi." data-caption="France's Mona&lt;g class=&quot;gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep&quot; data-gr-id=&quot;91&quot; id=&quot;91&quot;&gt;.&lt;g class=&quot;gr_ gr_90 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace&quot; data-gr-id=&quot;90&quot; id=&quot;90&quot;&gt;Mestiaen&lt;/g&gt;&lt;/g&gt; removes a mask after her practice session ahead of AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi," data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c9df6c04-39f9-40bb-9d72-6862f0aefa8e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/women%20boxer.jpg" /><img alt="Swedish boxing coach Daniel Nash displays a medical face mask." data-caption="Swedish boxing coach Daniel Nash displays a medical face mask." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="935d9986-0860-4469-a447-c2f81037a323" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/boxing.jpg" />
Worried&nbsp;Parents

French coach Anthony Veniant said he had asked for the tournament to be moved out of Delhi but his request was turned down.

"We feel the air is no good. Some of the parents of these players are worried and we tell our players to restrict their time outside," Veniant said.

Prolonged exposure to high levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10, another pollutant, leads to respiratory illnesses. Doctors in Delhi have reported an increase in the number of patients with respiratory problems.

Jay Kowli, secretary general of the Boxing Federation of India, said the air quality was being monitored but ruled out any change of location.

"Shifting the venue is impossible. Delhi has the best sports facilities in the country," Kowli said.

Teams have been hard at training this week.

Daniel Nash, the coach for the Swedish team, said pollution was a problem, but he had asked the&nbsp;boxers&nbsp;to focus on the competition.

"I'm telling my players to not let this issue affect their game," Nash said.

Contestants just have to deal with it, said Abdul Fkiri, the coach of the Dutch team.

Women boxers training for a world championship starting in the Indian capital this week are wearing surgical masks, scarves and even T-shirts across their mouths as the level of air pollution rises several times beyond the safe limit.

Women boxers training for a world championship starting in the Indian capital this week are wearing surgical masks, scarves and even T-shirts across their mouths as the level of air pollution rises several times beyond the safe limit. The AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships is taking place in an indoor stadium from Thursday through to November 24 but teams are complaining about a toxic smog hanging over the city, caused by seasonal burning of crop stubble and emissions from vehicles and industry. The weather, with no wind to blow the pollution away, has aggravated the problem in one of the world's most polluted cities. "My family is worried. We know it is not good for our body," said 27-year old Bulgarian Stanimira Petrova, a gold-medallist in the bantamweight category in the championships in 2014. "It's difficult. I wear a scarf but I have to get accustomed." On Tuesday, the level of deadly particulate matter PM 2.5 that lodge deep in the lungs was at 407, about eight times the safe limit, according to a reading by the pollution control board. Authorities have banned the entry of heavy vehicles into the city and ordered construction work to stop and sprinklers to keep down the dust. But the air quality remains in the severe zone. Seven European boxers whom Reuters spoke to complained that the air left a bad taste and irritated their eyes. Their coaches said they were advised about the poor air but organisers had not given them any protective gear. Ajay Singh, president of the Boxing Federation of India, said Delhi's air quality was improving as the effects of last week's Hindu festival of Diwali - when tens of thousands of firecrackers are let off, clogging the air with smoke - were wearing off. "I'm confident there will not be any problems faced by the boxers especially with the championship being held indoors. We have all the necessary standards maintained and precautions taken." Indian Olympic flyweight bronze medallist MC Mary Kom is among those taking part. Worried Parents French coach Anthony Veniant said he had asked for the tournament to be moved out of Delhi but his request was turned down. "We feel the air is no good. Some of the parents of these players are worried and we tell our players to restrict their time outside," Veniant said. Prolonged exposure to high levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10, another pollutant, leads to respiratory illnesses. Doctors in Delhi have reported an increase in the number of patients with respiratory problems. Jay Kowli, secretary general of the Boxing Federation of India, said the air quality was being monitored but ruled out any change of location. "Shifting the venue is impossible. Delhi has the best sports facilities in the country," Kowli said. Teams have been hard at training this week. Daniel Nash, the coach for the Swedish team, said pollution was a problem, but he had asked the boxers to focus on the competition. "I'm telling my players to not let this issue affect their game," Nash said. Contestants just have to deal with it, said Abdul Fkiri, the coach of the Dutch team.

KO'd: At World Championships, women boxers wear masks to beat Delhi pollution