The Clifford Cup Team - Championship Boxing Tournament organized by the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka, will be held from August 22 to 24 at the Sri Lanka Military Academy Gymnasium in Diyatalawa, commencing at 2.00 p.m. each day.

The meet also serves as the final selection trial for the Asian Games 2002 to be held in September at Pusan, Korea.

The organizing secretary Brig. Jagath Jayasuriya has decided to provide free accommodation and meals to judges, referees, competitors and their coaches.

The tournament is open to competitors who are between 17 and 34 years of age and have been placed first or second at ABA Novices, Intermediate Meets or at Schools BA Stubbs Shield Meet or for those who have already competed at any of the ABA major meets. The 12 contested weight categories range from light fly weight under 48 kgs. Up to super heavy weight over 91 kgs.

An affiliated club could enter more than one team, but each team should consist of at least 4 competitors.

This tournament originated in 1927 and the Ceylon Garrison Artillery won in the inaugural year. Royal Navy won in 1928 Royal Navy and Ceylon Police shared the cup in 1929.

In the recent past, Army had dominated on many occasion. Last year over a controversy which arose at the weigh-in on the first day, the Army withdrew and that enabled Slimiline Club of Pannala to win the championship easily. At the 76th national championships, Slimline Club managed to defeat Army by one point. Both Army and Slimline Clubs are packed with several national title holders. They both will be in the forefront in this stiff competition. However, the Police team which produced best boxer title holders at both Intermediate and Layton Cup meets are the dark-horses. Navy and Air Force teams also have formidable sides. The Other clubs who will forward good boxers will be Nugegoda, Seevali, Veyangoda, Mirigama, Kotte, Peradeniya, Vidyartha, Kalutara, Prisons, Colombo and Kandy YMCA’s and Arethusa.

The best boxer will receive the Capt. H. K. Karunaratne memorial challenge cup presented by his family.

The preliminary weigh-in preceded by the medical examination will be held between 8.00- 1O.00 a. m. on Thursday August 22 at the Army Gymnasium, Diyatalawa.

Entries will close on August 18 with Brig. Jagath Jayasuriya, Hony. Secretary, A B A of Sri Lanka, at No. 53/2, Temple Road, Kalubowila, Dehiwala.