On 3 December 2020, the two-time Olympic champion Zou Shiming sports education centre in Shanghai hosted an event on the SCO Boxing Championships.
President of the Shanghai Boxing Association Zou Shiming described the centre's activities to SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov, Tajikistan's Ambassador to China Saidzoda Zohir Ozod, SCO member states' permanent representatives to the SCO Secretariat and SCO diplomats. He also spoke about the selection criteria for athletes and the training methods for international competitions.
In his remarks, SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov noted the great interest of SCO boxing federations in the SCO boxing tournament scheduled for 2021.
He also stressed that the coronavirus pandemic showed how important it was to strengthen health and immunity. The SCO Secretariat was carrying out active work to popularise sports and a healthy lifestyle.
The role of sports as an important tool to ensure peace, social integration and sustainable development is noted in the Moscow Declaration adopted following the Summit of the SCO Heads of State held on 10 November 2020. Moreover, the importance of the practical implementation of the SCO Agreement on Cooperation in Physical Fitness and Sport was emphasised. In the declaration, the SCO leaders also welcomed regular international SCO marathons.
The Secretary-General noted that there were plans to mark the SCO anniversary in 2021 with a number of cultural and sporting events, such as art exhibitions, marathons and an SCO boxing tournament.
According to Mr Norov, boxing strengthens psychological stability developing a balanced and harmonious personality. He expressed confidence that the upcoming tournament would arouse great interest in the sport among many young people from the SCO countries.
"Such creative projects aimed at promoting friendship and a dialogue between nations, in this case via sport, are quite important during the pandemic," the Secretary-General concluded.
In his remarks, Zou Shiming expressed his gratitude to the SCO Secretariat for popularising sports and a healthy lifestyle among the SCO youth.
He expressed his readiness for joint cooperation and implementation of corresponding programmes and projects.
