Sport NI has hit out following the announcement that boxing could be omitted from the 2028 Olympics.
Weightlifting and the modern pentathlon are also off the initial list for the Games in six years' time in Los Angeles.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) met in Beijing on Thursday and said it would “continue to monitor the evolution of the international match calendar”.
All three could yet be added for the 2028 Games, but the IOC is seeking reforms in each individual discipline.
Boxing is under threat after a recent investigation found widespread evidence of "corruption, bribery and the manipulation of sporting results" at the Olympics in Rio five years ago.
Weightlifting has been told to address the historic issue of doping within the sport, while modern pentathlon must finalise its replacement of showjumping and increase its appeal to young people.
Following Thursday's announcement, Sport Northern Ireland has called for key stakeholders to come together in a united front to fight boxing’s corner.
Sport NI CEO Antoinette McKeown said: “Today’s announcement that boxing has been left off the sports list for the 2028 Olympics is of great concern.
"As well as peak physical fitness, the discipline, confidence and determination boxing instills, provides our young people with huge life skills, often seeing the greatest impact in communities of highest social deprivation.
“From Wayne McCullough, Paddy Barnes, Michael and Jamie Conlan, and our most recent medalist Aidan Walsh, a pantheon of Olympians have inspired our young people for many generations and the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of those hopes and dreams.
"Without boxing at the Olympics young people are being stripped of the chance to achieve their life ambitions.
“Boxing has always broken down barriers, and in recent years its efforts to see women enter the ring has been hugely encouraging. We have outstanding role models such as Kellie Harrington – Olympic Gold medalist and Michaela Walsh - European, World and Commonwealth medalist, and Katie Taylor, who has gone on to break all records in women’s professional boxing."
Sport NI says it will engage with Sport Ireland, the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, and both British and Irish Olympic Federations to "push for progress" at international level and "see our young boxers able to showcase their skills in the ring at Los Angeles 2028".
They added: “Today’s announcement is certainly a body-blow, but together we must ensure boxing does not suffer a knockout.”
