Sri Lanka caught in boxing crossfire

By Allaam Ousman

Sri Lanka has received approval from the Sports Ministry to host the ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships in Colombo next month, marking a milestone for the country in international boxing. 

However, this decision comes at a time when the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has applied to join World Boxing, a rival international body to the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Director General of Sports, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Shemal Fernando, confirmed the Ministry’s approval, allowing the competition to be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium from May 12 to 23, according to the ASBC. He was not available for comment.

This marks the first ASBC Championship hosted by Sri Lanka and a significant event for the country, which last hosted the Asian Boxing Championships in 1967.

Dian Gomes, former BASL President and an IBA Director, emphasised the significance of the event, stating: “We’ve had tournaments with countries like Vietnam, Russia, India, and Tanzania. Now, with the Under-22 Asian Championship on the horizon, Sri Lanka is solidifying its position as a key destination for international boxing.”
Despite this progress, Sri Lanka’s simultaneous application to join World Boxing has raised concerns about the country’s standing in international boxing governance.

World Boxing was granted provisional recognition by the IOC following the suspension of IBA, ensuring boxing remains in the Olympic programme. The outgoing IOC President, Thomas Bach, played a critical role in recognising World Boxing, which now boasts 88 member nations.

A directive issued by IOC’s Director of NOC Relations, James MacLeod, and Sports Director, Kit McConnell, states: “As a result, in view of Rules 28 and 29 of the Olympic Charter, the NOCs must now include the national boxing federations duly affiliated with World Boxing as obligatory voting members.”

This means that Sri Lanka has little choice but to align with World Boxing if its athletes want to compete in the Olympics, including the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The conflicting affiliations place Sri Lankan boxing in a Catch-22 situation. On one hand, the country is hosting an ASBC event under IBA, while on the other, it is transitioning towards World Boxing. NOC President Suresh Subramaniam confirmed: “We have granted clearance for the transition (to join World Boxing), as long as it benefits the sport.”

Dian Gomes, a strong advocate for IBA, highlighted the organisation’s continued support for Sri Lanka: “We’ve been following the same boxing process for the last 20 years, and with IBA’s support, Sri Lanka has hosted several international tournaments.”

The Director General of Sports, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Shemal Fernando, confirmed the Ministry’s approval, allowing the competition to be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium from May 12 to 23, according to the ASBC. He was not available for comment

World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst, in an interview with The Guardian, emphasised the need for a fresh start in boxing governance: “It’s a privilege, not a right, to be part of the Olympic Movement. We need to prove that we are the most credible international organisation.”

He cited past corruption scandals in IBA, particularly during the Rio 2016 Olympics, as a catalyst for forming a new governing body.

With Sri Lanka’s NOC urging BASL to join World Boxing while simultaneously preparing for an IBA-sanctioned ASBC tournament, the nation stands at a crossroads. The key question remains: can Sri Lanka maintain ties with both organisations, or will it be forced to choose between tradition and Olympic opportunities?

As boxing governance continues to evolve, Sri Lanka must navigate this delicate balance to ensure the best future for its athletes on the global stage.