Jakarta became the center of attention in the Asian boxing world after the Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, officially opened the Asian Boxing U-19 and U-23 Championship 2026. The lively opening ceremony held at the Basket Hall Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, on Sunday (5/7) marked the start of the competition, which will run until July 16.
Erick Thohir expressed his pride in the trust placed in Indonesia as the host. The event brings together 488 delegates, including athletes, coaches, and officials from 20 countries across Asia. According to the Minister, hosting this event is clear proof that Indonesia is increasingly trusted to manage international sports events with high professional standards.
More than just a fight for medals in the ring, the Minister emphasized that the championship serves as a platform for diplomacy and knowledge exchange between nations. He hopes young athletes will take advantage of this moment to enhance their technical skills and competitive mindset, as they are future assets expected to bring honor to Asia on the global stage, including the Olympics.
In his address, Erick Thohir also invited all boxing federations in Asia to strengthen collaboration in nurturing young athletes. For him, a sustainable improvement in sports quality can only be achieved through healthy competition and a structured human resource development system. The government's long-term focus is to ensure the rise of tough boxers capable of dominating podiums at the world's premier sporting events.
As host, Indonesia is fully committed to ensuring smooth operations, security, and comfort for all delegates during their stay in Jakarta. The championship is expected to be a catalyst for the advancement of boxing in the Asian region, while fostering friendship among participating nations through the spirit of sportsmanship.
