Stubbs Shield pugilists spend sleep time as fight time as championship turns into a free-for-all for ‘outsiders’ with healthcare and safety disregarded for hollow egoism:
The Stubbs Shield, a prestigious school boxing championship with a remarkable 105-year history, has been the cornerstone of Sri Lankan boxing. However, since its integration into the All Island National School Games under the Ministry of Education in 1992, the championship has faced challenges that have diluted its status and compromised its standards.
The 105th edition of the Stubbs Shield saw nearly 500 participants from 132 schools, including entrants with no prior experience in major boxing meets. Traditionally, participation in the Stubbs Shield required a boxer to be a medallist in tournaments like the L.V. Jayaweera for freshers or the T.B. Jayah for novices. However, this year, a new open-entry policy allowed all boxers to compete, transforming the Stubbs Shield into a near fresher-laden event rather than an elite championship. As a result, the championship’s integrity as a high-level competition has been severely undermined, with the increased participation leading to logistical strain and a dilution of talent.
The massive influx of participants not only disrupted the championship’s status but also necessitated a six-day tournament instead of the traditional four-day schedule. International Boxing Association (IBA) rules prohibit boxers from competing in multiple bouts within a single day, stretching the Stubbs Shield to accommodate the extra matches. Consequently, organisers were forced to schedule nearly 100 bouts daily in the preliminary rounds, with matches extending from morning until past midnight.
The gruelling schedule imposed significant physical and mental strain on young boxers and officials alike, which is neither sustainable nor supportive of optimal performance.
Boxing is a combat sport with inherent risks, and IBA rules require the presence of paramedics and an ambulance throughout the event to ensure athlete safety. Yet, the Stubbs Shield organisers failed to secure these critical resources for the first two days of the competition, leaving participants vulnerable to emergencies without immediate medical assistance.
The oversight highlighted a concerning lack of foresight and accountability, especially as the Schools Boxing Association delegated organisational responsibilities to the Education Ministry, citing financial limitations. However, the situation could have been easily rectified if the organisers had sought support from the Sports Ministry, Army or Police to provide an ambulance and paramedic team, as required by IBA regulations.
Certificates awarded to participants also lacked any reference to the Stubbs Shield, diminishing the honour traditionally associated with competing in this prestigious event. For an event with over a century of history, such an omission fails to do justice to its legacy, denying participants the full recognition that should accompany this achievement. Properly branded certificates would reinforce the event’s significance, enhancing participants’ pride in competing in one of the nation’s oldest and most revered sporting competitions.
The mismanagement of the Stubbs Shield by the Education Ministry and the Schools Boxing Association (SBA) has sparked frustration among past champions and veteran boxers. Many argue that the Stubbs Shield, historically akin to the National Boxing Championships, should operate independently of the All Island National School Games to preserve its unique identity. Hosting the championship under the broader National School Games framework dilutes its exclusivity, diminishing its standing as an elite event in Sri Lanka’s boxing calendar.
The SBA has long promised that provincial qualifying meets would reduce the number of participants at the Stubbs Shield, limiting the competition to top-tier boxers. Yet, despite the organisation of qualifying rounds during the L.V. Jayaweera meet this year which is a meet for first timers, qualifying is required for the Stubbs to ensure only the highest-calibre boxers participate in the championship.
To address these challenges and restore the Stubbs Shield’s prestige, several critical reforms are essential.
Only boxers who have excelled in prior recognised tournaments, such as the L.V. Jayaweera or T.B. Jayah, should be eligible to compete in the Stubbs Shield. This approach would maintain the competition’s high standard and ensure that it remains a true championship for top-level school boxers.
Implementing provincial-level qualifiers would reduce the participant load at the Stubbs Shield itself, making a return to the traditional four-day format feasible. This approach would prevent overly demanding schedules, support athlete health, and create a more focused competition environment.
The organising bodies must adhere strictly to IBA safety protocols, including the mandatory presence of paramedics and ambulances. The SBA and the Education Ministry should proactively coordinate with the Sports Ministry, Army, or Police to secure these resources, guaranteeing athletes’ safety.
Certificates awarded at the Stubbs Shield should prominently display the event name to recognise the significance of participation. Emphasizing the Stubbs Shield brand in official documents would honour the history and achievements of both current and past participants.
The national governing body for boxing (BASL) has the expertise, resources, and focus necessary to manage the Stubbs Shield as a high profile event in the national boxing calendar. Transferring organisational duties to the BASL would enable the Stubbs Shield to regain its prestige and reinforce its reputation as a premier school boxing championship, separate from the National School Games.
Reinstating the classic weight divisions would preserve the championship’s historic character, ensuring continuity with past championships and maintaining the Stubbs Shield’s unique place in Sri Lankan boxing heritage.
The Stubbs Shield deserves to be held to the highest standards as a tribute to its storied past and as a showcase of the best school boxing talent in Sri Lanka. The Education Ministry and SBA must take these recommendations seriously to safeguard the legacy of the Stubbs Shield for future generations. Only by reinstating its core values, prioritising athlete welfare and elevating organisational standards can the Stubbs Shield once again become the crown jewel of Sri Lankan school boxing.
St Sylvester’s College, Kandy underlined their standing as a dominant force in the school boxing arena when they emerged champions for the fourth consecutive time and 18th time in the series at the 105th Stubbs Shield Inter-School Boxing Championship that concluded on Tuesday at the Royal MSA Arena.
The Sylvestrians bagged four gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal with a power-packed display while Royal College were runners-up securing three gold medals, three silver and one bronze medal.
Thenuwan Bandara Meegalla of Royal College, one of the most accomplished and seasoned junior boxers in the country received the coveted Col T.Y. Wright Challenge Cup awarded to the most scientific senior Best Boxer of the championship.
Siri Perakum Vidyalaya, Kotagala emerged champions in the Girls division, producing three gold medal winners and one silver medal. Sri Pragnarathne Central College, Gelioya secured three gold medals in addition to three bronze medals to secure the runner-up spot.
Chathuni Jagathya Siriwardena of Hemamali Girls College, Kandy was adjudged the Best Boxer in the Senior Girls (48kg) category displaying good ring-craft and excellence to outpoint MKM Muthuni of Dharmaloka College, Pelmadulla.
Pictures by Hirantha Gunathilaka
