LIVERPOOL – Boxing chiefs on Sept 5 pledged to redouble efforts to get their message across about newly introduced genetic sex tests, after a row overshadowed the start of the World Championships.

Twelve boxers have reportedly been barred from competing in Liverpool, including the five-member women’s team from France, after they missed the deadline for test results to be submitted.

The BBC reported that another seven athletes, from the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Nigeria and the Philippines, were unable to compete.

World Boxing blamed the national federations, saying they were given ample warning of the new policy, which was announced in May.

But acting secretary-general Mike McAtee, speaking to AFP in Liverpool on Sept 5, the second day of the championships, struck a more conciliatory tone.

“Anything medical takes time,” he said.

However, the American also insisted World Boxing had communicated its new policy to officials at many levels, aware that many federations had staffing challenges.

World Boxing was only granted provisional recognition as the international federation governing the sport within the Olympic movement in February.

“We need to see how we can perform better, not only on eligibility, but everything else,” added McAtee.

“We’re an old sport in a very young body.

“So how do we make ourselves better, and how can we support? We have members like GB Boxing, England, Scotland, Wales, that have funding and are able to do it.

“And then we have other national federations that just don’t have the funding. So we need to be able to do better in support of our members.”

McAtee also said that in future World Boxing would consider going straight to athletes over the testing requirements.

“May...