Mik Basi boxing official takes the Olympic oath

Mik Basi, local boxing referee, named earlier for duty at the 2012 Olympic Games admitted he was shocked and proud to be given a special role at the Games spectacular opening ceremony on Friday night.

Mik Basi, local boxing referee, named earlier for duty at the 2012 Olympic Games admitted he was shocked and proud to be given a special role at the Games spectacular opening ceremony on Friday night.

Before the 80,000 crowd and a worldwide TV audience of millions, the Fairbairn club official, recognised as one of the leading referees on the international scene, took the oath at the opening ceremony on behalf of all sports referees and officials.

“To be asked to take part on that fantastic opening night came out of the blue,” said the 46-year-old born and raised in Newham, who first started boxing as a schoolboy at Plaistow’s Fairbairn BC.

“I must admit I was really nervous on the day, but I was satisfied with the way things went – it was an unbelievable experience – and I thought the whole ceremony was absolutely amazing.”

The Olympic Oath is one of the rituals of the Olympic Games. It is taken by an athlete from the host country, on behalf of all the competitors. Since 1972, a referee has taken an oath for all the referees and officials.

The Oath states: “In the name of all the judges and officials, I promise that we shall officiate in these Olympic Games with complete impartiality, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them in the true spirit of sportsmanship.”

There was no shortage of family pride on the day. Clearly delighted was older brother Jumbo Basi who first took Mik to the local boxing club and later encouraged him to follow in his footsteps and become a referee.

“It was marvellous to see Mik take the oath – I thought he handled the whole thing perfectly,” said the Fairbairn stalwart, also an international class official, who partners his brother in the family business – Bas1 embroidery. “It’s certainly a night we will never forget.”

The appointment was seen as a boost for boxing at a local and international level and he was also congratulated by Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, AIBA President: “AIBA is extremely honoured that one of its officials has been chosen for such an important task.”

Following the appointment, Mik Basi switched to the ExCel Arena in Docklands at the weekend to carry out his work as a referee and judge at the tournament.

Also busy at the ExCel was another Newham-born official, announcer Danny O’Sullivan, now secretary at the Dagenham boxing club, who was introducing the boxers and announcing the results from outside the ring.