MORE than 180 young boxers from across Malaysia and Singapore will converge in Sibu for the second National Novice and Youth Boxing Championship and International Invitational 2026, as the town continues its push to establish itself as a major centre for boxing development in the country.
Organised by the Sibu Division Boxing Association with support from the Youth and Sports Ministry, the championship will be held from July 27 to Aug 1 at the MUC (Malay Union Club) Hall in Jalan Bandung.
A total of 25 teams have confirmed their participation, including contingents from Singapore, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.
The event will feature under-15, under-17, under-19, under-21 and under-23 categories for both male and female boxers, providing a clear pathway for athlete development.
Championship director Zulkanain Majidi said the tournament is about more than winning medals.
It is intended to develop future boxing talent while promoting healthy lifestyles, discipline and sportsmanship among young athletes.
“The primary objective is to provide a competitive platform for young boxers to showcase their talent, gain valuable competition experience and further develop their skills in a structured and safe environment,” he said.
According to Zulkanain, the championship also serves as a talent identification programme aimed at nurturing athletes who could eventually represent their states and Malaysia at higher levels of competition.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this year’s championship has been expanded in scale, attracting more athletes, officials and international participation.
Sibu was selected as the host venue because of its strong track record in grassroots boxing development and its ability to organise state and national-level competitions. Sarawak is expected to field about 130 male and female athletes, giving the host state a strong presence in the competition.
While hopeful of strong performances from Sarawak boxers, Zulkanain stressed that athlete development remains the main priority.
“We are confident our athletes have the potential to perform well and secure medals, but success is not measured solely by medal count.
“We also want to see discipline, sportsmanship and technical improvement,” he said, noting that youth boxing often produces surprises and highly competitive contests.
National boxing officials and coaches have also been invited, giving young athletes the opportunity to impress talent scouts and potentially earn places in future development programmes and national training camps.
Beyond the ring, the championship is expected to provide an economic boost for Sibu through increased demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services and retail businesses as athletes, coaches, officials and supporters arrive in town.
It is also expected to strengthen Sibu’s reputation as a sporting destination capable of hosting national and international events while showcasing the town’s hospitality and tourism attractions.
Looking ahead, Zulkanain said the organising committee hopes to attract more national and international boxing events to Sibu as part of its long-term vision of establishing the town as one of Malaysia’s key boxing hubs.
He also invited the public to attend the championship and support the country’s next generation of boxers.
“This championship will bring together some of the most promising young boxing talent from across Malaysia and invited international teams.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for the public to witness high-quality boxing and support young athletes right here in Sibu,” he said.
