AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu is seen with Qatar Boxing Federation president Yousuf Ali al-Kazim after his arrival in Doha yesterday morning. Right: Dr Thani al-Kuwari, Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee, takes AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu out for a tour around the Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena on an electric police buggy yesterday evening.
By Satya Rath/Doha
Since taking over the reins of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) in 2006, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu has been a man on a mission.
The 69-year-old from Chinese Taipei, who is also an executive board member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has initiated many reforms in the boxing world, from increased marketing and new television contracts, to installation of electronic scoreboards to allow fans to gauge judges’ scores which has helped in eliminating manipulation in fights to a great extent.
He is now set to witness another first in his tenure when the World Boxing Championships begins at the Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena at Al Sadd, the first time the event is being held in the Middle East.
“It’s an exciting moment not just for Qatar, or me, but for the entire Middle East. I am very happy with the arrangements here. This is one of the most important events on the AIBA calendar, and this is also a historic first for the region,” the AIBA president told a select media gathering soon after landing in the Qatari capital in the early hours yesterday.
He added: “I am told that boxing is not very well known in this part of the world, and I hope the Boxing Worlds will give a big boost to the sport in the region. Our aim is to promote boxing in the Middle East and we hope this turns out to be the perfect beginning.”
Some 260 boxers from all corners of the world have already converged in Doha for the 10-day extravaganza, the opening ceremony of which will be held today evening, with the event proper starting tomorrow.
“There’s an added importance to this championship as it will also serve as the qualifying event for next year’s Rio Olympics. Also, most of the boxers competing in Doha have been selected through qualifying tournaments. We shall also, for the first time, see AIBA pro boxers competing with their amateur counterparts during the championship. We hope the boxing fans in Doha will have their hands full over the next 10 days,” Ching-Kuo said.
The AIBA boss was all praise for the organisational pedigree of Qatar: “I was here during the 2006 Asian Games, I was here during the Handball World Championship earlier this year, I have also witnessed some other events in Doha. I can say with confidence that all the events have been top-class. Be it the venues, the hospitality, the people, everything was great. The Asiad was one of the best organised games ever, so was the Handball Worlds. I am sure this event too will set a benchmark.”
Qatar Boxing Federation chief Yousef Ali al-Kazim, who was at the airport to receive the AIBA president, said he was confident the Doha event will be the best ever of all world championships.
“It’s a big responsibility for us as this is the first time the event is being hosted in this region. The boxing world’s attention will be on Doha for the next 10 days and we promise that we won’t disappoint. We are ready, and we have worked really hard to make this event a benchmark for all the future world championships. We want the boxing fans to come and enjoy the action, we have made all arrangements to make it an outing they will remember,” the QBF president, who is also the executive director of the World Boxing Championship, said.
He was also hopeful of the six-member Qatari boxing team to make an impact. “It’s a big moment for them, as this is the first time they will be competing in an event of this magnitude. Qatar will be represented by six boxers, all amateurs, and we hope they will make this experience count. I realise it will not be easy for them, but if the draw is a little favourable, who knows… Whatever the outcome, I am sure they will relish this experience,” al-Kazim added.
