DOHA: Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF) yesterday said it will host an event aimed at attracting youngsters to the sport.
The 2016 Doha Open Championships will take place at Katara from February 15-17, QBF President Yousuf Ali Al Kazim said yesterday.
“We have been getting inquiries from youngsters interested in playing the sport seriously. So we have thought of getting everybody together and competing in different weight categories,” Kazim said yesterday.
“We have two requirements that the amateur boxers must fulfill - one, they should be medically declared fit for the sport and second, they should have some scale of boxing skill to compete against another boxer,” Al Kazim said.
The event has been planned at a ring to be set up between the beach front and the amphitheater at Katara.
“It is going to be an open-air ring. We know so many tourists and visitors are present at Katara any day of the week. This venue would be easily accessible to all sports fans,” Al Kazim said.
“Those interested to take part in the event can visit our office or call us up to register for the event. We will hand out more details closer to the event,” he said.
“There is a good chance that quality boxers may even get to contest against top Qatar boxers,” he said.
“Obviously we don’t want to pitch amateurs against top pros but we will keep on eye on an athlete who could go all the way,” he said.
“The three-day event is open to all residents of Qatar and anyone above the age of 17 can feature at the event,” Al Kazim said.
“This will be a new addition to our calendar,” he said.
“We will stage the Qatar International Boxing Championships in May,” Al Kazim said.
Doha last year played host to more than 260 boxers from over 50 countries at the October 8-18 AIBA World Boxing Championships 2015 at Hamad Al Attiya Arena.
“Our boxers are better than their counterparts in the region but not superior to the ones on the international stage. But competing at different events and by attracting youngsters to the sport, our boxers will become better,” Al Kazim said.
“We are developing boxing as we go along. We have won medals at the region level and at the Arab stage. Now we are looking to promote the sport in a new way,” he added.
“We will have our own referees featuring at the event where even the technical staff will be provided by QBF. Clearly we are looking to broaden our horizons as we seek to make a name in regional boxing,” Al Kazim said.
The Peninsula
