AIBA President Pledges Support to Grassroots Development of Boxing in Nepal

AIBA President Mr. Umar Kremlev made an official visit to the capital of Nepal, Kāthmāndau. The President held several meetings with senior government officials including President Ms. Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Minister of Sports and Youth Mr. Maheshor Jung Gahatraj and Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba.

“Everyone who gathered here today, is committed to developing our sport. We aim to see more and more champions appear, more competitions emerge,” Mr. Kremlev said. “I want to express sincere gratitude to the government of the country, the Ministry of Sport, the Nepal Boxing Federation for their support in developing sport for young people actively all across the country.”

Support for developing countries is a part of the AIBA Financial Support Program (FSP) that is now being actively implemented. AIBA has already successfully helped boxers from more than 18 countries participate in the 2021 Men’s World Boxing Championships, which took place in Belgrade from October to November.

Mr. Kremlev assured of a tight collaboration between AIBA and Nepal by implementing different projects such as the organisation of joint training camps, exchanging experience between coaches and judges, and ensuring an additional qualification programme for Nepali sports officials.

Also, the opportunity to hold Asian Championships in Nepal was discussed, which is planned to take place at an existing venue in the country, with a capacity of 20,000.

“Here in Nepal, we are developing sports for health and various activities, which unfortunately due to the pandemic are not now at full speed. We are thankful to the AIBA President for coming and contributing to the development of boxing all around the globe and in our country in particular. Nepal has great natural opportunities for training camps to arrange at the highest point of the earth,” Minister of Sports and Youth Mr. Maheshor Jung Gahatraj stressed.

“I am glad to see how the AIBA President is developing boxing. Boxing is the most popular sport in Nepal and it will be great if AIBA could provide assistance for educational programs in schools and institutes. I am sure that we will be successful in our cooperation. From our side we will provide full support to the Nepal National Federation,” Prime Minister Deuba concluded.

During his visit, the AIBA President also visited the “Late Prakasha Dahal Memorial” and the 2nd National Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships, which is taking place from 15 to 19 November in Kathmandu, to greet athletes personally and gift them with sport equipment.

Mr. Kremlev also met with the President of Nepal Ms. Bidhya Devi Bhandari to discuss the development of boxing in Nepal, as well as the important issue of promoting gender equality in sport.

“I want to express big gratitude for taking care of the development of sports and personal involvement of the Head of Nepal. From AIBA side we fully understand importance of gender equity question and work at this issue very actively to create equal conditions for men and women in boxing. For example, we created the same level of prize money for Men’s and Women’s Championships,” Mr. Kremlev said.

“Boxing is one of the most popular sports in Nepal. From our side we will provide all kind of support for the development of sports in the country and to work more closely with Nepal Boxing Federation. We really appreciate the ideas to implement special boxing program to schools and institutes, to create training camps in the mountains and to hold significant Asian tournaments here,” President Bhandari stated.

Both leaders agreed on further tightening cooperation of joint projects to bring Nepali boxing to the next level. According to President Bhandari, she is very pleased about AIBA’s efforts to bring Nepali athletes to the Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships.