ISLAMABAD: Pakistan boxers aim high as they want to emulate shooters by earning direct qualification in Olympics during the qualifying round to be held in Wuhan (China) from February 3-14.
Col (rtd) Nasir Tung, secretary Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), was hopeful of earning Olympic spots amid the toughest of field that would see leading Asia and Oceania countries boxers flexing their muscles. “It would not be an ordinary outing for the Pakistan boxers as leading Asia and Oceania countries aspirants would emerge in China to compete for coveted Olympic places. The competition would be fierce to say the least and Asia and Oceania have some of world’s best boxer. Still I believe with the hard work we are putting in we would not let go the opportunity easily.” Currently 12 leading boxers are undergoing hard and tough training under the able supervision of AIBA Level III coach Arshad Hussain. “These boxers have been training for quite some weeks now and are getting ready for important event in a best possible way. The federation is planning to send five top boxers to compete in China event. Those boxers would be sent to China who will be having realistic chances of putting up a fight against the best of the lot. Though we have some names in our mind, more importantly we are monitoring progress of some boxers at the camp before finalizing names,” Col (rtd) Nasir Tung, said. Apart from medals in hockey, Pakistan had previously won only two medals in Olympics-with latest in 1988 in boxing through Hussain Shah.
“We know well that during Anwar Chaudhry ear as president International Boxing Association (AIBA), we made strides in international boxing and ultimately Pakistan won bronze in 1988. Since then we did not have a roadmap to follow to help boxers get the required recognition. There had been a lull period for almost 10 years where progress had been slow. Now momentum is there and we want to cash in on that good work started in recent times,” secretary PBF said. Some prominent boxers who are under training at the Army Sports Complex in Rawalpindi included SM Asif, Attaullah, Naqeeb Ullah, Niamat Ullah and Suleman Baloch, Naqeeb, Gulzaib, Amir, Mahmood ul Hassan, Saif ul Manan, Awais and Sanaullah likely weight category.
“Picking the best of five indeed would be difficult but we are planning to only field the best against the best from the continent in an effort to qualify for Olympics. All however depends on favourable draw. A good draw will surely help us,” Col (rtd) Nasir Tung said. He said that recently held National Boxing Championship and later the National Games in Peshawar greatly helped in building the confidence of top boxers. “National Championship and then National Games played instrumental roles in bringing the best out of these boxers. Though we are lacking international exposure due to lack of funds, these boxers are well equipped to earn a name for themselves and for their country.”