With less than a fortnight remaining for the prestigious ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships, the countdown to one of the most significant international sporting events hosted by Sri Lanka is in full swing.
From May 10 to 24, the island nation will welcome around 400 athletes and officials from over 25 countries — including boxing powerhouses like India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Australia, and Thailand — for the first major Asian-level boxing event on Sri Lankan soil in 57 years.
The Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo has been confirmed as the competition venue and is fully equipped to host this landmark tournament. President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara expressed confidence that all systems are set for a world-class event.
“This is a historic opportunity not only for our boxing community but for the entire nation,” said Bandara.
“With support from the Ministry of Sports, the Sri Lanka Tourism Board and Cinnamon Hotels as our official hospitality partner, we are well-prepared to deliver a seamless and memorable championship. Hosting this event sets a new benchmark for Sri Lankan sport.”
PEO SPORTS will be the official broadcaster, providing HD-quality live coverage via PEO SPORTS 1, PEO MOBILE App and streaming on Facebook and YouTube, ensuring fans in Sri Lanka and around the world can catch every thrilling moment.
The tournament’s technical aspects have been finalised, with referees, judges, and officials already appointed by the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC).
The International Technical Officials (ITO) Course will run alongside the tournament from May 12 to 15, with applications already closed. This certification programme will help elevate the capabilities of Sri Lankan technical staff in alignment with international standards.
Adding further prestige to the event, the President of the International Boxing Association (IBA), Umar Kremlev, is expected for the finals and pledged US $100,000 in prize money for medal winners:
The gold medallists will receive US $1,000, silver medallists will receive US $500 and the bronze medallists will receive US $250.
The Interim ASBC President, Aziz Kozhambetov of Kazakhstan has also confirmed his presence for the finals, underlining the event’s stature on the international calendar.
“This tournament is more than just a boxing event. It’s about showcasing Sri Lanka’s potential as a sports destination, developing our local talent and placing our country on the global sporting map,” Bandara added.
In preparation for the competition, the BASL has launched a residential training camp for the final 25-member pool, along with 10 national coaches at the Katukurunda Police Training School, which recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art international boxing ring.
This high-performance camp, running from April 18 to May 9, is entirely funded by BASL with the vision of building toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Asian championship is open to boxers born in the following years: Under-22 category: 2003–2006, Youth category: 2007–2008.
The sport entries check, technical meeting and the official draw will take place at the Cinnamon Red Hotel, beginning on May 10. The first competition day is scheduled for May 12, with the finals on May 22 and 23.
Security, logistics, and protocol have been meticulously planned with contributions from the Police, Navy, Air Force, Army, Customs and Immigration, ensuring a smooth experience for visiting teams and officials.
As excitement builds across the region, Sri Lanka prepares to welcome Asia’s future boxing stars for a spectacle of skill, speed, and spirit.
(SJ)
