UAE Aims to Join World Boxing to Strengthen Global Presence

Following the National Olympic Committee and Ministry of Sports approvals the UAE Boxing Federation plans to provide the official application to join World Boxing. Moving forward with World Boxing membership agrees with the IOC determination to present boxing as an event for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics (LA28) at its 144th Session in Greece from March 19-21, 2025.

World Boxing established its temporary IOC recognition in February by taking the place of the International Boxing Association which faced suspension in 2019 because of its governance issues.

Hassan Al Hammadi representing the UAE Boxing Federation as Secretary-General announced that his nation joined the leading group of Asian and Arab countries to show support for the new governance structure. Hassan Al Hammadi insisted that all required authorizations were in place leading to submission of the membership application before the end of the week.

The newly established World Boxing founded in April 2023 now has 78 member associations due to its creation following the IBA’s governance failure that caused IOC expulsion. IOC took command over boxing competitions during the Paris 2024 Olympics because the IBA faced recognition losses.

Al Hammadi confirmed that the United Arab Emirates pledges to enhance its role in worldwide sports bodies and to back athletes throughout their international competition paths including the Olympic Games.