ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah (left) has praised the work of AIBA counterpart C K Wu (right) ©AIBA

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), has hailed the work of International Boxing Association (AIBA) counterpart C K Wu since he took over the post as head of the sport's world governing body in 2006.

Speaking here at the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships, Sheikh Ahmad said his fellow International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board member had already delivered "a lot of his promises" which he made to AIBA when elected its President nine years ago.

The 68-year-old Taiwanese replaced the controversial Anwar Chowdhry, the Pakistani widely accused of corruption during his 20 years at the helm.

Since then, he has overseen the establishment of both the World Series of Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) - the only individual professional boxing competition that allows boxers to compete while retaining their Olympic eligibility - as well as the introduction of women’s boxing at the Olympics.

Wu, who was re-elected for a third term last year, told insidethegames earlier this month that he may consider trying to continue in his position beyond 2018, something which Sheikh Ahmad would no doubt give his backing to.

"I am happy now after six or eight years to witness all those changes - the development of the sport, the better governance of the sport and of course, the increased excitement of the sport," Sheikh Ahmad told AIBA.

"He (Wu) has already delivered a lot of his vision, and a lot of his promises to this sport."

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah says he is very happy that Doha is hosting the 18th edition of the AIBA World Boxing Championships
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah says he is "very happy" that Doha is hosting the 18th edition of the AIBA World Boxing Championships ©AIBA

Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad, who is also President of the Olympic Council of Asia, said he’s "very happy" that this year’s AIBA World Boxing Championships are being held here in Qatar’s capital, where 23 places for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are up for grabs.

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, officially declared the Championships open on Monday (October 5), with them set to conclude on Thursday (October 15).

"Sheikh Joaan and the Boxing Federation of Qatar have prepared a very good environment for all of the world’s athletes with a very nice venue, facilities, and accommodation," added Sheikh Ahmad.

"I think it gives a very good opportunity for our athletes in this sport to perform the best they can."

The Championships are set to continue today with the light flyweights, bantamweights, light welterweights, middleweights and heavyweights all in semi-final action. 



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