Asian Youth Boxing from March 4 to 10

Anushka Withanage

The Amateur Boxing Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran is staging the 19th Asian Youth Men's Boxing Tournament at Tehran City, Iran from March 4 to 10, 2010.

This will be the first Youth International sports event to take place this year. This tournament is open to male boxers who are 17 and 18 years old.

Around 30 countries are expected to participate at this tournament including China, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippine, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Singapore and Turkmenistan. Approximately 200 boxers are expected to compete at the 11 youth weight categories.

ABA of Sri Lanka has selected three boxers from the trial meet conducted at Royal College, Colombo on January 20, 2010 for this tournament. They are TBRI Warnasuriya - Lt Fly (48 kgs) - Vidyartha College, Kandy, HMDVR Herath - Fly ( 51 kgs) - Vidyartha College, Kandy and WV Suduwelikanda - Bantam (54 kgs) - Royal College, Colombo.

TS Weerasena will function as the coach cum manager while WIP Perera (Asian Qualified Boxing Referee and Judge) will be accompanying with the team to officiate at the Asian Youth Boxing Championships.

A five-member squad of Sri Lankan boxers and officials will leave for the Asian Youth Boxing Championship on March 2, 2010.