UAE Boxing Federation to Submit Membership Request to ‘World Boxing’

The UAE Boxing Federation has officially announced its intent to join World Boxing after securing approvals from the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.

This strategic move aligns with the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board to propose boxing’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28), subject to confirmation at the IOC’s 144th Session in Greece from March 19-21, 2025.

The decision follows World Boxing’s temporary recognition by the IOC in February as the global governing body for amateur boxing, replacing the International Boxing Association (IBA), which was banned in 2019 due to governance and integrity issues.

Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the UAE Boxing Federation, highlighted the UAE’s proactive stance, making it one of the first Arab and Asian federations to support World Boxing.

"We have obtained official approvals, and the membership application will be submitted before the end of this week,"

he confirmed.

Established in April 2023, World Boxing currently has 78 member federations and was created to uphold transparency and credibility in boxing governance. With boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics already under IOC supervision, the UAE’s move underscores its commitment to strengthening international sporting ties and ensuring its athletes have a pathway to Olympic competition.

Al Hammadi reaffirmed the federation’s dedication to elevating the UAE’s presence in global sports, stating,

“We strive to fulfill every athlete’s dream of representing their country with pride.”

News Source: Emirates News Agency