Sri Lanka gears up to host ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing championships

Tharanga Perera

With less than 50 days to go for the ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships in May, Organising Committee Chairman Tharanga Perera expressed his enthusiasm and confidence about Sri Lanka hosting this landmark event for the nation, marking the first major boxing championship since the Asian Championships held in Colombo in 1967.

“We have everything in place to ensure Sri Lanka delivers a world-class tournament from 12 to 23 May at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium,” Perera, who is also the Chairman of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Development Committee, affirmed. “The stadium is currently undergoing renovations, but it will be ready on time to welcome the athletes. We anticipate at least 25 of ASBC’s 43 member countries to participate, bringing around 400 to 500 boxers and officials to Sri Lanka.”

Highlighting the significance of the event, Perera remarked, “This is a pivotal moment for Sri Lankan boxing. We’re hoping to field approximately 15 boxers — both men and women — and setting our sights on at least five medals, including two golds. We are planning to have a selection trial for the 48-member pool at Royal MAS Arena on 29 March. Our athletes are inspired, especially with Umayanga Mihiran leading the charge after his historic bronze medal win at the Asian Championships in Chiang Mai — Sri Lanka’s first medal in 37 years. This championship isn’t just about the present; it’s a long-term investment in the future of our boxing program.”

The championship will feature a new, IBA-approved scoring system, complete with a newly imported ring, gloves, and headgear. Perera, 1-star international referee himself, emphasised the importance of training local officials for this system: “International experts will come to train our team, ensuring our operators are up to speed with the latest technology. It’s crucial for our officials to gain this experience to elevate their standards. Sri Lankan 1-star officials will also get an opportunity to perform different technical roles apart from officiating. We’ll also have referees and judges (R&Js) from neutral countries to ensure complete fairness and transparency as well.”

He also mentioned the possibility of ASBC President attending the finals, adding prestige to the event.

Perera acknowledged the extensive support from the Government, armed forces, and various ministries. “We’re truly grateful for the blessings and backing from the Sports Ministry and other relevant authorities. A dedicated task force, including Sri Lanka Police, Navy, Air Force, and Army, has been established to ensure smooth operations. Immigration, customs, and all logistics are under control. We’re leaving no stone unturned.”

The event is also expected to give a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s sports tourism. “Hosting a championship of this magnitude showcases Sri Lanka’s ability to handle major international sporting events,” Perera remarked. “If we deliver a successful tournament, it could open doors to more international competitions.

“Hosting a championship of this scale will showcase Sri Lanka’s capabilities on the international stage,” Perera said. “If we pull this off successfully, it could open doors to more major international tournaments. This would mean more exposure for our athletes and officials, giving them invaluable international experience — a stepping stone towards the South Asian Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.”

“This is more than a boxing tournament — it’s a chance to prove Sri Lanka’s potential as a sports hub and create lasting opportunities for our boxers and officials. We’re committed to making this a memorable, world-class event,” Perera added.