to hold an international event. But Iqbal did not know about that move when ‘The News’ contacted him.
Iqbal at the same time also denied that he had any differences with Doda. A source in Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had told this correspondent some time back that it seemed that there were differences between Doda and Iqbal because Doda had written a letter to the Board, informing it that his contact details had been changed.
However, a top PSB official was not happy with Doda’s letter and had told this correspondent that the Board was bound to correspond with the secretary.
Since coming into power around two and a half years ago, Doda-led PBF has not established even its own office.
The old office of the PBF housed at Panorama Centre in Saddar is still in possession of the rival group led by Mohammad Akram Khan.
Akram group was once touted as strong because of the government support. However, its influence reduced when the federal government re-established ties with Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) led by Lt Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hasan after its constructive dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Sources say Doda has printed a new letter-pad which carries the address of his residence in Defence.
“Iqbal has his own address,” a source said.
Sources say that the tug-of-war between the officials would further damage the sport.
Seven months have passed since Pakistani boxers last played in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and since then, the pugilists have not been provided with a single international tour.
“Unless we get international tours we will not improve,” an international boxer told ‘The News’ here on the sideline of the camp at the PSB Coaching Centre on Monday.
As many as 40 boxers have been training for the last four months, with apparently, no goal in sight.
Pakistan will be featuring in the World Championships in Doha in October but so far the PBF have not finalised the boxers.
“We don’t know whether we will play in the World Championships or not,” said a highly talented young boxer, who is expected to be part of the Doha event.
The boxers in the camp don’t have at their disposal enough punching bags and gloves which also affect their training, this correspondent noticed during a visit to the camp.