Jakarta has once again reaffirmed its position as a reliable host for international sports events. The Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, Erick Thohir, officially opened the 2026 Asian Boxing U-19 and U-23 Championship at the Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall, Senayan, on Sunday (7/5/2026). This prestigious event serves as a platform for 488 delegates from 20 Asian countries to showcase their talents.
In his remarks, Minister Erick highlighted the strategic value of this competition as a development space for young athletes. According to him, the gathering of the best talents from various countries serves not only as an arena to clash tactics inside the ring, but also as a crucial means for boxers to hone their mental toughness, refine techniques, and gain international match experience essential for their professional careers.
More than just a competition, the Minister emphasized that hosting this event manifests cross-border collaboration in advancing the sport of boxing in Asia. With continuously elevated standards, he hopes all participants experience a safe and supportive competing environment, ensuring that the spirit of international friendship is maintained alongside fierce sporting rivalry.
Erick Thohir also stressed that the future challenge for Asian boxing is breaking through global dominance, particularly on the Olympic stage. He urged all boxing federations in the region to strengthen cooperation in sustainable athlete development. For him, investing in young athletes today is key to producing more Asian champions capable of winning gold medals at the world's highest sporting stage in the future.
