MABF To Send Boxers Abroad For Exposure

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Amateur Boxing Federation (MABF) hope to send national boxers for a training stint in Thailand as preparations for the Laos SEA Games in December.

MABF Honorary secretary Major (R) Maulud Othman said since national boxers lack exposure at international level, the stint would provide a good platform for them to spar against credible opponents.

"Considering we do not have that many boxers in the country to become sparring partners, we need to send them overseas for training," he told Bernama here on Wednesday.

Maulud said Thailand was picked because the country has 13 training schools and boxers from Thailand are ranked among the best in the world.

"Expenses incurred for training is also cheaper than what it will cost in Cuba or Kyrgyzstan," he said.

He added that of late, countries prominent in boxing like Cuba, Australia, England and Kyrgyzstan, had switched their training base to Thailand.

"Training in Thailand is important to ensure success in Laos," said Maulud.

MABF has listed six boxers - Mohd Ali Abdul Karim, Eddy Kalai, Mohd Rafhan Mohd, Paunandes Paulus, Muhamad Puad and Mohd Fairus Azlan - for the Laos SEA Games from Dec 9-18.

The last time Malaysia won a gold in the SEA Games was in the 2001 Games hosted in Kuala Lumpur, through Zainuddin Siddi and Adnan Yusoh.

-- BERNAMA