The Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) recently declared the 97th edition of the National Boxing Championship for men and women, set to take place at the Galle Face Green from 23-26 January. The championship will be detained at an outdoor venue, continuing the BASL’s mission of bringing the sport closer to the people. This initiative follows the success of previous outdoor events at Negombo Beach and Kandy, which drew widespread acclaim.This year’s championship potentials to be a landmark event, with 125 boxers from across the country, including a majority from the tri-forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and Police, competing in 25 weight categories (13 men’s and 12 women’s).
The event underscores BASL President Anuruddha Bandara’s vision of get ready Sri Lankan boxers for international success, with an eye on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Bandara aims to form a national pool of top athletes from this championship to represent Sri Lanka at major international tournaments, together with the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. This initiative builds on Sri Lanka’s recent success at the Asian Elite Boxing Championship in Thailand, where Umayanga Mihiran ended a 37-year deficiency by clinching a Bronze medal.
Adding an international dimension to the championship, five Olympic-level referees have been invited to officiate, ensuring transparency and world-class standards in decision-making.The experience is endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) with the tri-forces and Police collaborating to ensure its success. Since 1924, the Sir Henry Manning Challenge Cup, awarded to the most scientific boxer, will once again be a highlight of the tournament. Army’s Chamil Pathmasiri (men) and Air Force’s Ishara Thushari Perera (women) carried away the Best Boxer awards at the 96th National Boxing Championships held in January 2024.
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