Mutalibov also believe that other International Federations should follow the IBA’s "example" by allowing Russian athletes to compete under their national flag and anthem.

Boxers from Russia and Belarus had been banned from international competition in response to the war in Ukraine until the IBA lifted the restrictions last October in contrary to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations.

The controversial decision has angered many national governing bodies, with the United States, Ukraine and Britain among 11 that decided not to send teams to the event in Indian capital New Delhi over the participation of Russian and Belarusian boxers.

"It’s pity that they did not come as I thought sports had nothing to do with politics and this boycott influences sports persons as they will miss this practice," Mutalibov told insidethegames.

"If I should decide, I will invite all of them.

"Of course, it influenced the competition.

"It is bad for the tournament and bad for boxing that they did not come.

"I hope that the other sports will follow the example of the IBA because for sports persons it is very important to have their flag and anthem."

After many months frozen out of international competition, Russian boxers made their return at last month’s IBA World Boxing Tour Golden Belt Series in Moroccan city Marrakesh where they dominated.

The Russian Boxing Federation (RBF) sent a 12-strong team to New Delhi but so far they have won just four bouts on the opening four days.

It is the first time the Russian team have competed at the World Championships since 2019 when they topped the medal table.

Yesterday saw Russia lose both of its fights, with 2019 world medallists Ekaterina Paltseva and Lyudmila Vorontsova suffering early exits from their respective light flyweight and featherweight divisions.

Mutalibov has blamed Russia’s poor start on a lack of top-level competitions over the past 12 month but is still hopeful the country will finish the tournament with four medals.

"I am a little bit disappointed about [yesterday’s] performance because it was two Olympic weights," said Mutalibov.

"On the whole, the lack of international tournaments that we missed last year influenced our performances here because they are a little bit nervous.

"It has influenced very much even our [boxers] with great experience.

"We had planned for four medals even with the lack of international performances and we still hope to have four medals."

Although Russia have been given permission to compete by the IBA, they face several obstacles to qualify for next year’s Olympics in Paris.

Under the IOC’s current recommendations, Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from international competition and face missing Paris 2024.

The IOC has agreed to explore a pathway for athletes from the two countries to participate under "strict conditions" of neutrality.

With the IOC stripping the IBA of the rights to run Olympic qualification tournaments and the boxing event in Paris, continental multi-sport events are set to be used as qualifiers.

Poland, however, is opposed to Russia’s participation at this year’s European Games in Kraków and Małopolska.

The Olympic Council of Asia has expressed its willingness to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in its events including the delayed Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

While several Russian National Federations are considering switching to Asia, insidethegames understands that the RBF has not held such talks and is keen to remain competing in Europe.

Following the continental phase, the IOC plans to stage two world qualification tournaments in 2024 where the remaining quota places will be determined before the Olympics are staged in Paris.

"For any coach, it’s the highest aim to make someone an Olympic champion," Mutalibov told insidethegames.

"First of all, we need to qualify for Paris.

"Despite some of the losses here, they are really good boxers.

"Our boxers will have sparing partners with international boxers even after their losses and we hope that we will be at the qualification tournaments where we hope to do our best.

"Every international tournament is vital for us, it’s where sports people grow."