Boxing squads for Asian C’ship, Islamic Games decided

KARACHI: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has finalised a seven-member squad for the ASBC Asian Boxing Championship which will be hosted by Uzbekistan in its capital Tashkent from April 30 to May 7.

PBF secretary Nasir Tung told ‘The News’ on Friday that the seven pugilists and two coaches would poceed to Tashkent on April 28.

“We have got visas and are waiting for the NOC,” Nasir said.

The squad comprises Mohibullah (49kg, WAPDA), Mohammad Asif (52kg, Balochistan), Mohammad Suleman (64kg, Army), Gul Zeb (69kg, Army), Mohammad Tanveer (75kg, Navy), Awais Ali Khan (81kg, Army) and Sanaullah (91kg, WAPDA).

AIBA three-star coach Arshad Hussain, retired from Army, and one-star Syed Hassan from Army will accompany the side as coaches.

Suleman will make his international debut in the event. He won gold in the National Championship held here in 2015.

The squad was picked after three-day trials held at the Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad, from April 18-20.

“We have picked the best of the available boxers on the basis of fitness level, performance in the trials and form,” Nasir added.

Promising boxers Ahmed Ali, Naqeebullah and Sheraz failed to find places in the touring party due to injuries.

Ahmed, who plays for WAPDA in the 60 kg category, needs four months rest. “He has a shoulder injury and has been advised by the doctor to rest for four months,” Nasir said.

The Asian Championship will serve as qualifiers for the World Championship which will be hosted by Germany in Hamburg from August 25 to September 3.

As many as six boxers in each weight category will qualify for the World Championship through the Asian Championship.

About Pakistan’s qualifying chances, Nasir said that the boys had prepared well. “The preparation has been quite good.  If we get good draws, we will earn a few seats in the World Championships,” Nasir claimed.

“We have good chances in light flyweight, lightweight, welterweight and light heavy weight,” Nasir said.

After the Asian Championship the target of Pakistan is the Islamic Games which will be hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku from May 12-22.

Nasir said that Pakistan would feature in seven weight categories in the Islamic Games with some changes.

“Gul Zeb and Sanaullah, who are part of the squad for the Asian Championship, are not part of the Islamic Games squad. Niamatullah (60kg) and Arshad Hussain (69kg) will join the other five boxers of the squad for the Islamic Games,” Nasir said.

He said the five boxers, who are also part of the Islamic Games squad, could be sent directly to Baku from Tashkent. Gul Zeb and Arshad, along with their coaches Ali Bakhsh and Tariq Gujar, would join them in Baku, he added.

It will be the first time that the newly-elected PBF set-up, headed by Khalid Mehmood, will handle the squad in international circuit.

The PBF elections were held in January in Peshawar.

Nasir said that this was an important year for Pakistan as they would be trying to set the foundation to regain the lost glory of Pakistan.

He said that the PBF was also thinking about a foreign coach. He said it would be very important to have someone in near future to develop boxers for future international assignments.

He also revealed that the PBF had not yet been released its annual grant. “We have not yet got the annual grant. The PSB had some issues with the outgoing set-up of the PBF but we are very much hopeful that we will get good response as the Board is cooperative with us,” Nasir said.