Afghan pugilists off to Colombo for major event

KABUL (Pajhwok): A five-member team of Afghan boxers left on Sunday for Sri Lanka to participate in an international event in Colombo.

The Afghanistan Boxing Federation (ABF) wrote on its Facebook page the squad departed this morning for Colombo to attend the event featuring athletes from over 24 nations.

The ASBC Asian Under-22 & Youth Boxing Championships, slated for May 12-23 marks the first time top-tier Asian boxing has returned to Sri Lanka in 57 years.

The Afghan team, made up of skilled athletes, will compete against boxers from across Asia in both Under-22 and youth categories.

Their participation in the championship marks a significant step in promoting and developing boxing talent in Afghanistan, according to the federation.

In addition to the boxers, two coaches are accompanying the team to provide guidance and support throughout the event.

The championship will run for two weeks, concluding on May 23, and is expected to attract considerable attention from boxing enthusiasts and media outlets across Asia.

The landmark tournament marks the historic return of top-tier Asian boxing to Sri Lanka after 57 years, Ada Derana reported.

Over 400 athletes and officials from more than 24 countries are set to take part in the event, organised by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), in collaboration with the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA).

On Friday, Afghan boxer Shahid Kharoti defeated his Pakistani rival in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital Peshawar.

hz/mud