By Armstrong Vas
DOHA: Qatar is aiming to host more boxing championship in the near future, Yousuf Ali Al Kazim, President of Qatar Boxing Federation said here yesterday.
“We hope to host more AIBA competitions like the APB or WSB in the future,” said Al Kazim, during the opening press conference on day one of the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships
“We want to leave the best possible experience for athletes, spectators and our guests, and we are keen for success,” said Al Kazim, who is also the Executive Director of the ten-day Championships.
The Qatari official was overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages he has been receiving from various sporting leaders for an impressive opening ceremony on Monday.
“What really left an impression were the key messages of transparency, friendship and effort, values we would like to highlight in our efforts to promote boxing in particular – and sport in general – in Qatar,” he added.
Doha 2015 will be the most competitive ever: “As has been widely reported, we have 258 boxers from 74 countries here in Doha battling to become world champions and for one of 23 qualifying spots to the Rio 2016 Olympics. It’s the first time ever that these athletes will have had to qualify to be here, so we are extremely satisfied to have only the best of the best here which will provide us with some tantalizing bouts over the next week or so.
“We might not be a big boxing nation, but we love the sport as much as anyone. We sincerely hope that these World Championships can drive recruitment forward, and leave a lasting legacy for boxing across the region. Our teams in the Local Organizing Committee have worked ever so hard to make everything perfect, and our ambition is to make the 18th edition of the World Boxing Championships the best ever,” Al Kazim said.
With an expected global TV audience of 500 million, all eyes will certainly be on Qatar throughout these historic World Championships. The preliminary rounds started yesterday, and will continue until Saturday when the quarter-finals start.
Sheikha Asma Al Thani, Marketing and Communications Director for the local organizers and the Qatar Olympic Committee, shared her thoughts on the matter: “Qatar is proud to be a modern, cosmopolitan and international nation. We are fortunate to have so many nationalities residing here and such good relations with differing cultures and nationalities. The embassies across Doha have been hugely supportive of our idea to make these World Championships a real celebration of the boxing sport, where people of all backgrounds are welcome to join the fun.
“One of the most important tools to get people to come to the arena and enjoy the multicultural, festive atmosphere was to build a great fan-zone outside the venue, filled with fun activities for all ages. Here everyone can learn about the sport in a boxing museum as well as take part in boxing themed training or just relax with some delicious food, and everything is free provided that you have a ticket at hand,” Al Thani said.
Meanwhile, AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu praised local organizers led by the QBF in association with the Qatar Olympic Committee: “This is a city (Doha) with a strong tradition of hosting major sporting events, and I am delighted to add the most important boxing event of the year, the AIBA World Boxing Championships, to that history. It is the first time this event has come to the Middle East, providing us with yet another exciting opportunity to introduce boxing to new audiences,” Dr Wu said.
“We are very happy with the decision to choose Doha to host the 18th edition of our competition. This is a top class venue with top class athletes, and it will make for a fantastic championship”, he added.
At the heart of Qatar’s ambition in hosting world boxing’s signature event, there is a strong wish to make the sport of boxing come to life across the region.
Throughout the last few months, local organisers have launched its community engagement programme which embraces local Qataris as well as embassies and their strong expat communities.
The program is already reaping its fruits if the opening ceremony on Monday was anything to go by, with the state-of-the-art Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena filled to capacity with people of all nationalities and backgrounds gathered to welcome the global boxing elite.
The Peninsula
