According to a press release by AIBA, the official agreement on the establishment of the Continental European Boxing Academy was signed on Wednesday. AIBA President Umar Kremlev visited the city of Assisi to meet the head of the city and region and the leaders of the Italian Boxing Federation along with giving an official start to the foundation of the academy.
Assisi has been serving as the historical center of European boxing as many notable Italian boxers started their career from here. And now the region will host the first European academy.
European Boxing Confederation (EUBC) came up with the initiative of establishing the AIBA European Boxing Academy and AIBA decided to uphold the initiative. The Academy will also have educational programs for boxers and coaches.
Stefania Proietti, the Mayor of Assisi, highlighted the close connection between boxing and the city of Assisi, where the national Italian training center is placed during the official meeting.
‘The foundation of the Academy is an important event for our city. In the post-pandemic world, it will attract more and more sports fans and athletes. We are grateful to AIBA and the Italian Boxing Federation for this project,’ Proietti said.
Franco Falcinelli, President of EUBC expressed gratitude to AIBA and personally Umar Kremlev for supporting the foundation of the academy.
‘Creation of the academy in Assisi is an essential part of AIBA and boxing in general renewal. AIBA President is a leader who believes in the bright future of our sport. He came today to implement his obligation given during his election campaign. Assisi was chosen because our city always paid special attention to preparation for the Olympics and other international events. The priority task for sports managers is to fulfill dreams and expectations of boxers who represent their nation at competitions’, Mr. Franco Falcinelli said.
Kremlev said that the task is “the massive development of boxing in every country”.
‘Here in Italy the boxing culture has been preserved, I am glad that this is the place where the boxing academy will be built. Everyone will come and see the boxing culture. We create the academy for our athletes and coaches. We must think about the future today. I am grateful to all my colleagues, the Italian Boxing Federation, the government of the city and everyone involved in the process. Thank you for your work, for your ideas. Today we are launching the academy. Congratulations to everyone!’ Umar Kremlev claimed.
Domenico Ignozza, the President of the Olympic Committee of the Umbria region underlined the significance of the academy for the development of European boxing and also expressed gratitude to all the participants.
President of the Italian Boxing Federation also stressed on the social part of the foundation which is to engage young people into sport and healthy life.
