Armenia has replaced Thailand as host of the 2012 Aiba Youth World Boxing Championships.
Thailand was selected to organise the tournament but its bosses changed their mind. It is an apparent move to protest their fighter Kaew Pongprayoon controversially losing to China’s Zhou Shiming in the 46kg final at the London Olympics.
After the bout, Thailand Boxing Association (TBA) president Boonlert Kaewprasit quit as an executive member of amateur boxing’s governing body Aiba and said the kingdom would not host the youth tournament scheduled from Nov 25-Dec 8.
According to Aiba, the tournament will now be held in Armenia.
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Gen Boonlert yesterday said he had not officially informed Aiba about the cancellation of the tournament.
“They might have known it from the media,” he said.
Immediately after the Olympics, Boonlert also said he would resign as TBA president to shoulder responsibility for Thailand’s failure to win a gold medal in boxing at the London Games.
He said he would formally resign as TBA chief this month and would not seek a return to office.
Thailand coach Thong Taweekhun said that about 15 youth boxers would join the training camp at the Sports Authority of Thailand complex next week. He said he hoped nine Thais would take part in the world youth tournament.
“Although we are not happy with Aiba, we cannot stop training our boxers,” Thong insisted.
The event is for 17-18 year-old boxers.
Bankok Post