13 nations targeted for Sarawak International Boxing Championships in Miri

KUCHING (Jan 26): A total of 13 countries are being targeted to participate in the Sarawak International Boxing Championships at the Miri Indoor Stadium in May, said Dato Rahman Lariwoo.

The Sarawak Amateur Boxing Association (Saba) president said the exact dates of the tournament are not finalised yet.

Boxers from the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, as well as several Malaysian states, have already confirmed their participation.

“This championships will serve as an important platform to prepare and expose our boxers ahead of the upcoming Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) in Selangor this August.

“It is the best opportunity for our athletes to gain valuable experience by competing in a highly competitive environment, allowing them to further sharpen their skills and match readiness,” he told reporters on Sunday.

Organisers also expect the event to provide a boost to the local tourism sector, particularly in Miri, with the influx of overseas and outstation participants and supporters. In this regard, Saba is calling for stronger support from corporate bodies and the private sector, especially those based in and around Miri, to assist in staging of the international tournament.

Meanwhile, the association plans to send shortlisted boxers to Indonesia in June and the Philippines in July for intensive exposure programmes.

“The full list of shortlisted athletes will only be confirmed after the conclusion of the Sarawak Games (Suksar) IV. We plan to select nine male boxers and three female boxers to carry Sarawak’s challenge in Selangor,” Rahman said.