KUCHING, April 3: In a groundbreaking move for Malaysian sports, Sarawak will play host to the prestigious World Boxing Championship (WBC) which will be held on May 11 this year at Petra Jaya Indoor Stadium.
Sarawak Amateur Boxing Association (SABA) president Dato Rahman Lariwoo said a total of 12 countries had confirmed its participation, including boxing powerhouses such as Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, and Japan.
“This marks a historical feat for Malaysia and Sarawak especially because we (Sarawak) are given the opportunity host an international boxing tournament featuring professional boxers worldwide,” Rahman said in a press conference after the tournament preparation meeting in Kuching yesterday (April 2).
The organisation of the Sarawak Open Championship 2024 will serve as a precursor to the WBC event illustrates the State’s dedication in nurturing boxing talents and gearing up the participants for significant competitions.
To Rahman, the involvement of various regions, including Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, West Kalimantan, Sumatra, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, in the Sarawak Open Championship reflects the tournament’s regional and international appeal.
“So far, we have received great participation for the Sarawak Open Championship and serves as a warm-up for the incoming 2024 Malaysian Games (SUKMA), allowing young boxers to develop their skills as well as improving Malaysia’s sporting prowess,” he said and added that the number of participants will probably increase after the Hari Raya celebrations.
Meanwhile, he also took pride in Sarawak’s own Kilat Boy, Daelonial McDelon Bong’s participation in the incoming WBC tournament under the Super Bantamweight 55.3kg category.
Rahman later highlighted the collaboration with Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) and the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts (MTCP) under the leadership of MYSED minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Sarawak Open Championship 2024 will be held from May 6 to May 10, which will also be held at the Petra Jaya Indoor Stadium. — DayakDaily
