(Boxing news) Umar Kremlev, AIBA’s President has made an official visit to Kāthmāndau, Nepal and has held several meetings with government officials such as resident Ms. Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Minister of Sports and Youth Mr. Maheshor Jung Gahatraj and Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba as part of AIBA Financial Support Program (FSP) for supporting developing countries.
“Everyone who gathered here today, is committed to developing our sport. We aim to see more and more champions appear, more competitions emerge,” Mr. Kremlev said. “I want to express sincere gratitude to the government of the country, the Ministry of Sport, the Nepal Boxing Federation for their support in developing sport for young people actively all across the country.”
So far, AIBA has helped boxers from 18 countries participate in the 2021 Men’s World Boxing Championships which took place in Belgrade from October to November. Mr. Kremlev assured that a tight collaboration will be implemented between AIBA and Nepal with joint training camps, exchanging experience between coaches and judges, and ensuring an additional qualification programme for Nepali sports officials. The possibility of hosting the Asian Championships in Nepal was also discussed at a venue that can seat 20,000 spectators.
“Here in Nepal, we are developing sports for health and various activities, which unfortunately due to the pandemic are not now at full speed. We are thankful to the AIBA President for coming and contributing to the development of boxing all around the globe and in our country in particular. Nepal has great natural opportunities for training camps to be arranged at the highest point of the earth,” Minister of Sports and Youth Mr. Maheshor Jung Gahatraj stressed.
“I am glad to see how the AIBA President is developing boxing. Boxing is the most popular sport in Nepal and it would be great if AIBA could provide assistance for educational programs in schools and institutes. I am sure that we will be successful in our cooperation. From our side we will provide full support to the Nepal National Federation,” Prime Minister Deuba concluded.
The AIBA President also visited “Late Prakasha Dahal Memorial'' and the 2nd National Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships which is set to take place from 15th to 19th November to personally greet fans and gift sports equipment. Mr. Kremlev also met up with President of Nepal Ms. Bidhya Devi Bhandari to discuss gender equality in sports and the development of boxing in the country.
“I want to express big gratitude for taking care of the development of sports and personal involvement of the Head of Nepal. From the AIBA side we fully understand the importance of the gender equity question and work at this issue very actively to create equal conditions for men and women in boxing. For example, we created the same level of prize money for Men’s and Women’s Championships,” Mr. Kremlev said.
“Boxing is one of the most popular sports in Nepal. From our side we will provide all kinds of support for the development of sports in the country and to work more closely with Nepal Boxing Federation. We really appreciate the ideas to implement special boxing programs to schools and institutes, to create training camps in the mountains and to hold significant Asian tournaments here,” President Bhandari stated.
Also read: AIBA women's world boxing set to be postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
