Colombo Set to Welcome 400+ Boxers from 25 Nations

by Zulfick Farzan 06-05-2025 | 4:29 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); he island nation is set to host the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships for the first time in 57 years.

The prestigious tournament, organized by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka, will take place from May 12 to 23 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.

The announcement was made during a media briefing held earlier this week, where officials outlined the scale and significance of the event.

With over 400 male and female boxers from 25 countries expected to compete, the championship is poised to be one of the largest international boxing events ever held in Sri Lanka.

The host nation will field a strong contingent of 33 athletes, competing across 12 women’s and 13 men’s weight categories, showcasing the depth of local talent and the country’s growing presence in the international boxing arena.

Speaking at the briefing, Anuruddha Bandara, President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka, emphasized the broader vision behind hosting the tournament:

“Our goal is to prepare and send two or three of our young athletes to the 2028 Olympic Games and bring home a medal for the nation. We believe we have the potential to win more than 10 medals at this tournament," he said.

The championship is expected to draw significant local and international attention, offering a platform for emerging athletes and reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to developing its sporting future.