ABASL to kick off first international boxing meet today

Monday, 28 April 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (ABASL) will host the first international-scale boxing meet of the country, as the Lion’s Cup International Boxing Tournament 2014 unfolds from 28 April to 2 May at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, promising to showcase world-class boxing talent from across the globe.

The tournament will see the participation of 10 countries – Australia, Belgium, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and host nation Sri Lanka, with over 70 international boxers vying for victory. The male boxers will compete in seven weight class; Light Flyweight (49kg), Flyweight (52kg), Bantamweight (56kg), Lightweight (50kg), Light Welterweight (64kg), Welterweight (69kg) and Middleweight (75kg). The female pugilists will compete in Flyweight (51kg), Lightweight (60kg) and Middleweight (75kg) weight classes. The meet will adhere to the highest standards, rules and regulations accepted by global boxing governing bodies. Anuruddha Rathnayake, Manju Wanniarachchi and Anusha Kodithuwakku are some of the illustrious national boxers who will take to the ring to represent Sri Lanka at the Lion’s Cup, contending with celebrated boxers from other nations. ABASL President Aubrey Peiris said: “It gives us great pride to host an event of this magnitude in Sri Lanka for the first time in boxing history. This also becomes a great platform for our national boxers to display their progress in time for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.” Dian Gomes, Chairman Tournament Committee, during whose tenure boxing in Sri Lanka saw a resurgence, said: “Sri Lankan boxing has been taking steps in the right direction towards realising our Olympic dream, and to have the talent, capacity and capability to host an international boxing tournament for the first time in the country, certainly shows how much the sport has evolved and how much it is endorsed by the Sri Lankan public.” The Lion’s Cup will be held from 28 April-2 May at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. The Opening Ceremony and 17 preliminary bouts are scheduled to be held on 28 April from 3 p.m. onwards. The quarterfinals will be held on 29 April, with the semifinals scheduled for 30 April. The final 10 bouts and Closing Ceremony of the Lion’s Cup is scheduled to be held on 2 May, 3 p.m. onwards. Admission is free on all days and large crowd participation is expected to watch the 10 countries vying for boxing supremacy.