President of the International Basketball Association (AIBA) C K Wu was on hand in the Talgar region of Kazakhstan to officially open a new Boxing Academy that will become the centre for the development of the sport.

The grand opening of the facility coincided with the AIBA Pro Boxers Workshop, taking place for nearly 80 of the best boxers in the world who will all be competing in the upcoming Pro Boxing tournament, scheduled to get underway next month.

The facility has been in operation for a number of months, but today marked its official opening.

The academy aims to integrate education and training, and embrace all aspects of the development of boxing to set global standards in the sport.

The facilities at the venue, situated just outside Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty, include a hotel that can accommodate up to 160 people, a 210-seat capacity meeting room equipped with modern equipment and a language translation system, a meeting room for 150 people and two training classes that can seat 45 and 60 people respectively.

In addition, there is a competition ring, two training rings, an international standard football pitch, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts and a 25-metre swimming pool.

There is also a medical centre and an onsite cafe.

“Since I became the President of AIBA in 2006 it has always been my dream to build the AIBA Boxing Academy,” Wu said.

“Today this dream came true due to hard work of AIBA and the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation.

“This Academy is the unique sports complex in the world and I am proud that this place will become a home for all members of AIBA family.”

Wu was joined at the official opening of the AIBA Boxing Academy by officials from the Boxing Federation of Kazakhstan, including President Timur Kulibayev, vice-president Serik Konakbayev and executive director Bekzhan Bektenov.

Also in attendance was Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Sports Aristanbek Mukhamediuly.

Source: Article by Gary Anderson from http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/boxing/1022660-aiba-president-wu-opens-boxing-academy-in-kazakhstan