Representatives and delegates take part in the establishment of the Vietnam Boxing Organisation on July 16 in Vung Tau. (Photo of VBO) Currently, the Vietnam Boxing Federation manages domestic boxing activities.The organisation is expected to take care of the sport at the internationallevel.
"With the support of the VBO, Vietnamese boxers will be able to take partin international professional events frequently. It will help them get higherincomes and sharpen their skills," said VBO President Lim Song last week.
“I can confirm that Vietnam's boxing potential is huge, especially for athletesin the lightweight division. We can produce world pro champions if athleteshave enough financial support to follow their passion and improve theirtechnique through international competitions," he said. "The VBO willhelp them to reach this target."
The VBO will not only support Vietnamese athletes in competitions but alsoprotect their rights or complain for them when they face troubles.
The organisation will also give local coaches, judges and referees chances towork at international events.
The VBO's biggest expectation is to build up a professional boxing economicenvironment in Vietnam. Boxers could earn income from fighting in events whilethe business side of the sport would bring value to the country, as has beenthe case in Japan and the Philippines.
"In Japan, there are about 20 events per month while it is about 15 in thePhilippines. These countries earn about 300 million USD per month fromactivities related to boxing such as airplane tickets, tourism, pay-per-viewsand fight tickets," said Song.
"I hope that the VBO will join hands to build a boxing economy in Vietnamand bring the sport to a new height."
At its establishment held at the Ba Ria-Vung Tau province's Grand Ho TramStrip, the VBO signed strategic cooperation contracts with organisations fromJapan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and China.
Hoang Quoc Vinh, head of the Sports Authority of Vietnam's (SAV) Elite SportDepartment, also attended at the event.
"The establishment of the VBO will create a comfortable environment forboth amateur and professional athletes and supporters to follow boxing inaccordance with the policy of developing sports in Vietnam," said Vinh.
"The VBO and organisations like it will push the national federations todevelop boxing in localities across the country.
"The Sports Authority of Vietnam promises to give the best conditions forboxing development, organising more events locally and sending athletes abroadregularly and simplifying the registration and paperwork processes.
"We will also help to invite experts, judges and boxing stars to come tofight in Vietnam."
Recently, Vietnam's pro boxing has made remarkable progress, making big bangsinternationally and setting milestones for the nation.
Among rising stars are Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi who won the WBO female mini-flyweightbelt in 2021 and Dinh Hong Quan who took the IBF Asia lightweight belt in 2022.
In addition, many pro events including famous bouts by Cocky Buffalo Gym andpromoter Kim Sang Bum have been organised nationwide luring the attention ofinternational friends and supporters./.
VNA
