Boxing Association of Sri Lanka

Boxing being a man-to-man game grew in popularity across Ceylon, when Ceylon was a British Colony, drawing not only huge crowds as spectators but also a considerable number of competitors, mostly from the armed forces. With time, an association was formed to cope with the numerous boxing tournaments being held regularly, consisting of representatives from all three armed forces, and was named the United Services Boxing Association of Ceylon (USBAC).

Garnering more competitors, more spectators and more fame, the sport grew bigger and became more widely spread, amongst the Police as well as Colleges. By 1926, the need for an association that could include all clubs that had been formed aside from the armed forces saw the USBAC being dissolved, and instead formed the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) of Ceylon.

In 2013, Sri Lanka stepped away from the amateur game, and established the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). The Association comes under the purview of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC), the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the Ministry of Sports of Sri Lanka. Governed by an Executive Committee, the BASL presides over the RJ Commission, Coaches Commission, Medical Commission and Diversity Commission, and administers Constituent, Registered and Affiliated Boxing Clubs across the island.

The Government of Sri Lanka as well as generous corporates have ensured their continuous support and endorsement of the BASL, as we work towards bringing Sri Lanka to the fore as a formidable boxing nation.

It’s time to make history.

Boxing is one of the toughest most competitive sports in the world. It tests and challenges the individual, it trains you to find the courage you need to stand up each time you fall, to fight back each time you are cornered, and more than anything, to follow your gut instinct.

I have passed the many stages of a boxer, from pugilist to victor, from judge to the highest rank of administration as President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka and as a board member of both The International Boxing Association (IBA) and The Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC); boxing has played a very significant part in my life.

There are immense opportunities for boxers of today; during the past decade we have worked together to revive the sport and finally, boxing has found its rightful place as one of the most revered and obsessively followed sports in Sri Lanka. World class training facilities, coaching and sparring facilities with tournaments provide exposure on par with international standards. We have nurtured men and women who are gladiators in the ring, their dedication beyond guts and glory. It is the passion that keeps them going for the gold.

Now is the time, and yours is the future of boxing. Yours is the next Olympic gold.

Let us make history.
We believe Sri Lanka Can!Dian Gomes