Iraq boxing federation skips Asian Championship, to join Kazakhstan event

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraq Boxing Federation said it will not take part in the Asian Boxing Championship in Jakarta and will instead compete in an international youth and senior tournament in Kazakhstan in July. Federation president Ali Teklif said the national team and youth national team will participate in the Kazakhstan event. Teklif said the decision was discussed during a meeting with Kazakh coach Darkhan Dyusembekov, when the federation reviewed Iraq’s participation in the Asian Championship scheduled for Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. After the meeting, the federation decided not to enter the Asian Championship. He said Dyusembekov preferred that the national team hold a training camp in Kazakhstan and that the tournament be held at the same time as the camp. The best boxers will be selected based on the results. The federation also said it had appointed Dyusembekov to lead the national team in coordination with the Iraqi Olympic Committee.