Satok ringside for Golden Gloves Boxing Championship

0
Rahman (seated at centre) with Saba exco members and representatives from government departments and agencies after the organising committee meeting. — Photo by Harry Ilias

Rahman (seated at centre) with Saba exco members and representatives from government departments and agencies after the organising committee meeting. — Photo by Harry Ilias

KUCHING: More than 100 boxers from clubs and associations nationwide are expected to vie for top honours in the 2nd Golden Gloves National Boxing Championships to be held at Medan Niaga in Kubah Ria, Satok, from Sept 27 to Oct 1.

Organising chairman Dato Rahman Lariwoo said the participants included Armed Forces and from all states.

“We have received about 70 entries so far and I believe more will be signing up for Malaysia’s most glamorous and prestigious boxing championship where the best of the best will be in action,” he said after chairing an organising committee meeting yesterday.

Rahman, who is also president of the Sarawak Amateur Boxing Association, said only Kelantan and Pahang have yet to confirm participation.

“We have invited Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong to open the event at 5pm on Sept 27 and the Malaysian Amateur Boxing Federation president Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad to officiate at the closing ceremony,” he said.

According to Rahman, nine categories will be competed in the five-day championship: light flyweight (49kg), flyweight (52kg), bantamweight (56kg), bantam featherweight (60kg), bantam lightweight (64kg), welterweight (69kg), lightweight (75kg), heavyweight (81kg) and light heavyweight (91kg).

The competition is open to Malaysian boxers aged 18 to 40 years.

“We are not setting any target for our boxers as we do not want to put unnecessary pressure on them. Sarawak were the second runners-up last year and I am hoping that we can do better this year,” he added.