Boxing Legends Rise at the 97th National Championship, Powered by SLT-MOBITEL, PEO SPORTS and BASL

Friday, 31 January 2025 23:47

Boxing Legends Rise at the 97th National Championship Powered by SLT MOBITEL PEO SPORTS and BASL

Businesscafe - Sri Lanka’s boxing community celebrated a monumental achievement with the successful hosting of the 97th National Boxing Championship, held from 23rd to 26th January 2025.

This historic event, in collaboration with the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), took place for the first time at the iconic outdoor venue of Galle Face Green in Colombo, marking a new chapter in the nation’s sporting history.


SLT-MOBITEL, PEOTV and PEO SPORTS served as the official TV broadcasters for the event.


The championship was aired LIVE in True HD quality on PEO SPORTS 1 channels (HD - CH. 323, SD - CH. 150), bringing every moment of the action to boxing fans across Sri Lanka.


Additionally, viewers could watch the tournament LIVE and free of charge through the PEO MOBILE App, making it accessible to audiences nationwide.


Additionally, every match was streamed LIVE on the PEO SPORTS Facebook page and YouTube channel.


The live stream received over Nine million views, allowing boxing enthusiasts from around the world to experience every moment of excitement.


Ruchira Weerakoon, Chief Officer - PEOTV, commented,


“As a proud partner of the 97th National Boxing Championship, SLT-MOBITEL PEOTV is honoured to support the growth and recognition of Sri Lankan boxing on the global stage.


The successful execution of this landmark event, held at the iconic Galle Face Green in Colombo, underscores the power of collaboration between national institutions, international sporting bodies, and also showcased the incredible talent and dedication of Sri Lanka’s athletes.


It also highlighted the importance of sports in uniting and inspiring our nation.


At PEOTV, we are committed to empowering such events through our cutting-edge technology, ensuring that fans across the country can access live coverage in True HD quality through our PEO SPORTS platform.”


The championship, a significant milestone for Sri Lankan boxing, was made possible through the invaluable support of the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC), the International Boxing Association (IBA), and Sri Lanka’s Tri-Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force), along with the Sri Lanka Police.


Their collective contributions ensured the success and smooth operation of this prestigious event.


With over 125 male and female athletes competing across multiple weight classes, the championship featured exceptional performances from both seasoned professionals and rising stars.


Boxers from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, and various local boxing clubs showcased their outstanding skills, passion, and determination, making for an intense and highly competitive competition.


Dr. Anuruddha Shanaka, President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), said,


“This championship represents a huge milestone for Sri Lankan boxing.


It’s about celebrating the talent of our athletes and providing them with a platform to achieve even greater success.


Beyond showcasing our national talent, this event is a crucial step toward securing Olympic qualification and medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as part of our ‘Road to LA28’ project.”


The 97th National Boxing Championship also plays a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s goal of establishing itself as a hub for international boxing.


It is a key part of the country’s strategy to build a talent pool for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, while laying the foundation for future international boxing events on Sri Lankan soil.


To ensure the highest standards of fairness, the matches were overseen by neutral referees and judges from South Korea, Ireland, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan, with Olympic-level officials ensuring that every bout adhered to international guidelines.


Championship Highlights:


• The Sri Lanka Army won the National Boxing championship in the Men’s division, while the Sri Lanka Air Force claimed the title in the Women’s division.


• Army boxers Piyal Dharmasena and Sanduni Priyadarshani were awarded the prestigious Best Boxer awards for their exceptional performances.


• Umayanga Mihiran (Police Sports Club) won the Most Outstanding Male Boxer of the Year title, while R.A.N. Pushpakumari (Horana Vidyarathena Sports Club) was named the Most Outstanding Female Boxer of the Year.


With the unwavering support of the BASL, the 97th National Boxing Championship was a showcase of the skill, passion, and determination that drive Sri Lanka’s boxing community.


The event not only celebrated the athletes' achievements but also set the stage for the future of boxing in Sri Lanka.


Powered by SLT-MOBITEL’s cutting-edge FTTH technology and the outstanding coverage by PEO SPORTS, this championship captured the hearts of sports fans, reinforced the power of sports to inspire, and paved the way for a brighter future for Sri Lanka’s boxing scene.


For more information, follow PEO SPORTS on social media.

Last modified on Friday, 31 January 2025 23:56