THE world boxing body, AIBA has postponed the start of the World Youth Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan to Sunday because of the volcanic ash cloud that has put flights to a stand still in some European countries.

In an email addressed to boxing federations world-wide, the Aiba Executive Director Ho Kim said that a number of boxers were still stranded at various airports because of the volcanic eruption that has severely disrupted flights across Europe.

"We have been forced to delay the competition because it has been difficult for federations to re-schedule their flights to Baku due to the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland,” the email read in part.

Aziz Matusi (light fly), Peter Habyarimana (bantam weight) and Olivier Shingiro (fly weight) will represent Rwanda in the championship which is expected to attract over 532 pugilists from 105 countries.

The tournament to be played at Serhedchi Sport Complex also serves as a qualifier for the inaugural Youth Olympics scheduled for Singapore in August.

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