DOHA :The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) celebrated Olympic Day on Wednesday with a boxing championship at Mall of Qatar, using the event to promote Olympic values, healthy lifestyles and grassroots participation in sport.
Organised in cooperation with the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation, the knockout-format competition featured junior, youth and senior athletes competing across multiple weight categories.
The event, held at Oasis in Mall of Qatar, drew QOC officials, federation representatives and members of the public, who watched bouts throughout the day as part of the Olympic Day celebrations.
In addition to the boxing competition, organisers staged sports and entertainment quizzes for children and young people to encourage greater engagement with sport and physical activity.
Olympic Day is observed annually on June 23 to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Movement by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1894. Established by the International Olympic Committee in 1948, the initiative promotes participation in sport and highlights the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al-Thani, president of the Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation, said the event reflected the federation’s commitment to creating a lasting sporting legacy and encouraging greater involvement in boxing among young people.
He said the championship offered an opportunity to inspire future athletes while showcasing the sport’s role in promoting physical fitness, discipline, self-confidence and mental resilience.
Sheikh Fahad added that the competition also served as valuable preparation for club and national team boxers ahead of major regional events, including the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and the 2030 Asian Games in Doha.
Abdulla Faraj Al Sultan, the event director, said Olympic Day celebrations help strengthen Qatar’s sporting foundations by identifying and developing emerging talent, particularly in boxing.
He noted that such competitions provide young athletes with opportunities to refine their skills and gain experience, helping prepare them for continental and international competition.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where Sheikh Fahad and Abdulaziz Ghanem, head of the Sport Activities Section at the QOC, presented medals to the winners and recognised sponsors, partners and volunteers for their contributions to the championship.
