By Mikhil Bhat/Doha
Qatar Boxing Federation president Yusuf Ali al-Kazim was a happy man yesterday. Not only did the Doha International Boxing Tournament 2015 receive good feedback from the athletes and the delegations, the Qatari boxers had bagged five bronze medals.
The tournament was held as a test event, ahead of the World Boxing Championships in October later this year. “We are very happy about everything that we have achieved in this tournament. Everyone from the athletes to the delegation, they only have positives to speak about the tournament. I think all in all we have got good feedback, everyone has appreciated us,” al-Kazim said after the prize distribution ceremony at the Ali bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena yesterday.
“We have been told by the various delegations that they are confident about us hosting a successful World Championship. We have a good venue, good transportation, good accommodation, good security. We are very happy.”
Five Qatari boxers, including Yahea al-Rafeek (light fly), Mostafa Hegazy (fly), Abdullatef Sadiq (light), Sonday Qlement (light heavy) and Amir Alsaae (heavy), won bronze medals.
“Believe me, the draws did not help our cause. The draw obviously was in favour of the strong boxers. One of our boxers had a shoulder problem and the referee stopped him from the bout. Two boxers were up against gold medallists from their confederations. But this was a good experience for these boxers. So that’s great,” al-Kazim added.
“Our athletes played against strong teams and did well.”
Talking about the roadmap as far as the World Championships are concerned, he said, “The management of the organisation also has done well. We are confident about hosting better competitions in the future. I have set a meeting next week with all those involved with the organization of this tournament. Each in-charge of their respective teams will present their findings from the tournament and we will look at areas that need improvement.”
Qatar Boxing Federation president Yusuf Ali al-Kazim (centre) and officials pose with the winners.
