In the field of Sri Lankan boxing, Abdullah Ibunu, a former Royal College and national boxing star, is stepping into the ring once again, this time as a coach with a mission. At 37 years old, Ibunu is not just looking back at his own achievements but forward to the future of junior boxing in the country.
“I want to focus on developing the Sri Lanka junior national pool and provide them more international exposure,” Ibunu declared, emphasizing the need to tap into the vast talent in the grassroots level. According to him, Sri Lankan boxing is not yet at the international standard, and the key to reaching that level lies in nurturing talent from a young age.
Drawing from his own experiences as a four-time Stubbs Shield winner and a bronze medallist at the Layton Cup and South Asian Games trials in 2006, Ibunu understands the importance of building a strong foundation. He believes that by picking the best boxers from the military and police , a formidable senior national pool can be formed.
Ibunu, who represented Sri Lanka at the World Junior Boxing Championships in South Korea in 2004, is no stranger to success. As the head coach of Royal College since 2010, he led the team to a Stubbs Shield triumph after a 30-year gap in 2017. His dedication to coaching eventually propelled him into the national leadership role when he was appointed Secretary of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) in 2019.
Under the guidance of Dian Gomes, the president of BASL, Ibunu and his team are working to ensure that boxing continues to thrive in the country despite challenges. “Our goal is to develop boxing in the country,” Ibunu stressed, acknowledging the importance of their honorary service. Despite facing obstacles, BASL has made significant strides, with 34 new referees and judges selected to address issues within the association.
“As a 2-star AIBA (International Boxing Association) qualified coach, our plan is to develop Sri Lanka boxing to win an Olympic medal,” Ibunu asserted, signifying a bold vision for the future of boxing in the island nation. With Ibunu at the helm, Sri Lanka’s junior boxers can look forward to a promising journey ahead, filled with opportunities for growth and international recognition.
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