By :Allaam Ousman

For the first time in decades, Sri Lanka is stepping into the Asian boxing spotlight with the hosting of the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships, a signal achievement that marks a bold new chapter in the sport’s local history.

This historic feat was ten months in the making, driven by the relentless energy and vision of Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

“After 57 years, we took a great initiative to bring this prestigious Asian Boxing Championship to Sri Lanka.

This is a landmark moment for us,” he declared at a press conference to launch the event. “I’m happy to introduce our newly elected Secretary Tharanga Perera. I truly appreciate him joining hands with us at such a crucial juncture,” he added.

In a sporting landscape where many feared to tread, Bandara dared to dream - and more importantly, dared to deliver. “Everyone told me it was too risky,” said Bandara.

“But I believed Sri Lanka deserved a moment like this. Boxing should belong to the people-not just to a few.” True to that mission, Bandara broke free from the sport’s traditional indoor confines by taking boxing outdoors - to the beaches of Negombo and the public promenade at Galle Face Green, thrilling crowds and reigniting public passion for the fight game.

These pioneering events laid the foundation for the grandest of them all: the Asian championship on home soil. “We wanted to reconnect the sport with the masses. Those open-air events showed us that the public still loves boxing. That gave us confidence,” said Bandara on staging major championships such as Layton Cup, Clifford Cup and the Nationals outdoors.

What makes this endeavour even more remarkable is that it was mounted in the face of financial uncertainty and administrative red tape, a path few before him were willing to take. Backed by his predecessor Dian Gomes, a sitting director of the International Boxing Association (IBA), and with support from IBA President Umar Kremlev, Bandara was emboldened to send large national squads overseas, invest heavily in youth programmes, and now, deliver a world-class tournament at home.

“You can’t grow if you don’t take calculated risks,” Bandara stated. “Thanks to the trust placed in us by the IBA and ASBC, we’ve made this tournament a reality.”

His journey hasn’t been without storms. As an entrepreneur based in Guinea and Sri Lanka’s Consul General, Bandara has navigated complex geopolitical undercurrents in global boxing and internal divisions closer to home. His bold leadership style has drawn both admiration and criticism. Yet, even his detractors concede his intentions are rooted in a deep love for Sri Lankan boxing - a sport he once excelled in as a schoolboy champion from Royal College, Polonnaruwa.

“It has been a learning curve for me,” he admitted candidly. “But my goal has never changed-elevating our athletes and giving them a global platform. That’s what matters.”

Central to Bandara’s efforts is his loyal team, with newly elected BASL Secretary Tharanga Perera emerging as his pillar of strength. A former Thurstan College boxer, 1-star international referee, and respected corporate professional, Perera also chairs the Local Organising Committee for the Asian championships, ensuring the smooth delivery of this mega event. Perera played a key role in aligning logistics, coordinating volunteer teams, and ensuring international standards. “It’s not easy organising something of this scale,” he said.

“But our athletes deserve it. They deserve to hear their names called out on home soil, in front of a cheering crowd.” Together, Bandara and Perera have set in motion a  potential renaissance for the sport in Sri Lanka. Hosting a tournament of this scale is, in itself, a monumental victory. But the ambitions don’t stop there. The duo are eyeing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and even dares to dream of an Olympic boxing medal - a goal that once seemed out of reach. “Our long-term vision is to put a Sri Lankan boxer on the Olympic podium,” said Bandara.

“And we believe this championship is the first real step in that journey.” Are these lofty goals mere pipe dreams? Only time will tell. But what’s clear is that Sri Lankan boxing now has a direction, a vision, and a leadership willing to take risks for the future. As ASBC Sports Director Marina Ni aptly noted: “It’s a historic moment. When young people see these bouts live, it inspires them. This exposure can change the sport in your country.”

“We assessed Sri Lanka’s capability through the tournaments held in Negombo and Kandy. After visiting the facilities and reviewing everything, I was convinced they could host this championship,” said Marina.

“I’m happy to support this initiative and the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka. It’s a significant step forward for South Asian boxing.” And that’s where the boxing community - and indeed the nation - must play its part. Now is not the time for division. It’s a moment to rally together, to support the ahtletes, the organisers, and the dream of a better future for boxing in Sri Lanka. “It’s a massive financial commitment - Rs. 180 million in total. No one took this challenge before because of the scale.

But I believed in it, and so did my team – Tharanga (Perera), Amila (Tissera), (Sajeewa) Dasanayake, Brig. (Kasun) Adhikari, Group Captain Buddhika (Nissanka), DIG (Jagath) Seram - all of them worked as a team,” he acknowledged. “We faced a lot of challenges, including criticism and backstabbing. But with the blessings of the Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and the Director General Shemal Fernando, we have overcome everything,” he said.

“We are giving free entry to the public, and we’ve already invited school children through the Education Ministry and zonal directors. We want everyone to witness this historic event,” he added. Making a fervent appeal to Sri Lankan sports fans, he said:

“This is a great honour for Sri Lanka. I invite all boxing lovers and the public to come support us. If we don’t promote and support our own boxers now, we may never get this chance again.”

So, let us set aside our differences, and as the gong rings at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, cheer proudly for our future champions as they showcase their talent, skill and courage against Asia’s best.