Asian Juniors Boxing tournament begins
KUWAIT: The preliminary matches of the first Asian Juniors tournament are set to be completed today. They began yesterday under the patronage of Kuwait Olympic Committee President Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad.
The tournament’s draw was made in presence of Vice President of International Boxing Association, President of Asian Boxing Federation Anas Al-Otaiba, Kuwait Boxing Federation President Mohammad Mansi, heads of federations and technical managers of participating teams. Teams from Qatar, Bhutan and Indonesia decided not to participate making the total of countries participating reach 21 with around 150 boxers participating in total.
Vice President of IBA, President of ABF Anas Al-Otaibi lauded the organization of the Asian Juniors Boxing tournament. He said “I am pleased with the distinguished organization, that comes after lifting the international sports suspension and significant participation by 21 countries, in the first juniors tournament. I am happy to be in Kuwait as the signs of the tournament’s success are now clear. This was only made possible through the outstanding efforts of the organizing committees and their interest in all details. KBF has proved to be a capable host of these continental tournaments.
Al-Otaiba said boxing in Asia now has a special status through the countries’ care for the sport and its efforts to popularize it. Today, Asia has several champions in various weights and world level facilities, which promises a better future for boxing. Al-Otaiba urged participants to be keen on fair play, and continue training in order to reach even higher statuses in the future.
He said the ABF will continue organizing such tournaments because it serves a large number of promising boxers, adding there will be two more upcoming tournaments - the Asian Juniors Boxing tournament next October in UAE, and youth tournament in Mongolia in Nov 2019. Head of the Syrian Boxing Federation Mohammad Shabeeb said he is happy to be in Kuwait and thanked Kuwait’s Federation for organizing this major event. He said the competition will be strong because most participating countries has specialized boxing schools for many years.