Jordan to host Olympic boxing qualifier shifted from virus-hit China

An Olympic boxing qualifier, which was cancelled in China following outbreak of a deadly virus that has claimed 26 lives, will be held instead in Jordan, officials said Friday. International Olympic Committee's Boxing Task Force (BTF) anunced that Asian/Oceania qualifying event for this summer's Tokyo Olympics will be held in Amman from March 3-11.

" event, originally planned to take place in Wuhan, China, from February 3-14, was rescheduled after joint decision by BTF and Chinese Olympic Committee to cancel competition due to developments regarding coronavirus outbreak reported in Chinese city," said an IOC statement.

"After a careful review of all alternatives, BTF approved proposal of Jordan Olympic Committee today, in order to confirm competition dates and location as soon as possible, in best interest of athletes preparing for qualifier." Boxing was almost excluded from 2020 Olympic programme after a series of scandals.

amateur boxing body AIBA was stripped of right to organise Olympic competition and replaced with special task force. Wuhan was also supposed to host China, Taiwan, Thailand and Australia for Group B Asian women's football qualifiers from February 3-9. However, tournament will w be held on same dates in eastern city of Nanjing.