As many as 71 boxers representing 14 clubs will compete at the fourth Katara Amateur Boxing Championship, which gets underway at Katara, today.
Speaking at a press conference, Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF) President Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al Thani said the event which will continue till March 27, will see competitions in three categories.
“This week’s event will be conducted by the Qatar Boxing Federation with a target to galvanize the local boxers and to promote the sport of boxing in general,” said Sheikh Fahad, who was elected as QBF President last month.
“The medial and weigh-in will be held on Wednesday, the first day of the tournament. After that, the preliminary stages of the tournament will be held on Thursday. The last two days will be reserved for semi-finals and the finals to be held on Saturday. We have a total of 71 boxers lined up in three classes – Juniors, Youth and the Open category which will have senior boxers,” he added.
“I know the young boxers are very excited and waiting for the event to start. As you know, we have had this tournament the last time in 2020 but after that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we went into lockdown and sports events were cancelled. Now I know boxing fans are waiting for the events to resume this week.”
“The Qatari amateurs need a local setting and this tournament will provide exactly that. If you ask my personal opinion, subject to the approval of the QBF Board of Directors, I would like to make this tournament an event that attracts fighters from around the region and Asia one day. I’d love to have boxers from Cuba, Kazakhstan and our local boxers competing with them at our events in our facilities,” Sheikh Fahad said.
The QBF president said he was hoping to see more events in Qatar.
“We have many plans which will unveil in due course of time. Right now our focus is on this week’s event that will be held at Katara, a venue where fans can easily come in and watch our young boxers in action,” he said.
–thepeninsularqatar.com
