The Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) proudly announces the 97th edition of the National Boxing Championship for men and women, set to take place at the iconic Galle Face Green from January 23 to 26, 2025.
Marking a historic first, the championship will be held at an outdoor venue, continuing 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 promises to be a landmark event, with 125 elite boxers from across the country, including a majority from the Tri-Forces and Police, competing in 25 weight categories (13 men’s and 12 women’s).
The event underscores BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara’s vision of preparing 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, including 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 drought 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 event is endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, with the Tri-Services (Army, Navy, Air Force) and Police collaborating to ensure its success. PEO SPORTS will be the official broadcaster of the tournament providing live coverage on its television and digital channels. The coveted Sir Henry Manning Challenge Cup, awarded since 1924 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. The other major trophies on offer are the Muttiah Xavier Memorial Challenge Cup awarded to the Most Successful Men’s Club of 2024; Sgt. Selladorai Memorial Challenge Cup for the champion men’s team at the National Championship; and the Neiva Embuldeniya Challenge Trophy for the champion women’s team at the Nationals. “This championship marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sri Lankan boxing,” said BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara.
“Our goal is not just to identify talent but to prepare our athletes for global success. By hosting this event at Galle Face Green, we are taking boxing to the people, creating awareness, and building a larger fan base for the sport.”
The BASL’s innovative approach to hosting events in public spaces began with the Layton Cup and Clifford Cup tournaments, which featured fierce competition and highlighted Sri Lanka’s rising stars.
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