Punjab Boxing C’ship begins with grand opening ceremony

LAHORE: Secretary Sports Punjab Aamir Jan inaugurated Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship in a grand colourful opening ceremony at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall on Saturday.

Aamir Jan on this occasion said that British boxer Amir Khan will arrive on May 14 to attend the closing ceremony of Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship.

Aamir Jan and other SBP top officials unveiled the championship trophy to open the proceedings. All the participating teams were also introduced with the guests of honour.

The opening ceremony was attended by hundreds of boxing enthusiasts. Young male and female dancers presented outstanding cultural show and regional dance on various melodious songs. Young female dancers also presented attractive Kailash dance and received huge appreciation from the players and officials.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Secretary Sports Aamir Jan said it’s great occasion to hold Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship in such a wonderful manner. “The holding of Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship is a first step towards bright future of boxing in Pakistan. We are quite upbeat that Punjab will get sufficient boxing talent from the Inter-Division Open Boxing Championship,” he added.

Aamir Jan said: “The objective of Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship is to promote the game of boxing among the young generation. The game of boxing has great following at international level and insha-Allah Pakistan will also produce top level boxers in near future through events like Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship”.

Pakistan Boxing Federation President Khalid Mehmood, who is also POA Secretary, Director Sports Anees Sheikh, Director Admin Javed Chohan, PbOA Secretary Idris Haider Khawaja, PBA officials, nine divisional sports officers, boxing technical officials and a large number of male and female students from various schools and colleges were also present during the memorable opening ceremony.

Laiba, Ehtasham, Hamza emerge winners on opening day: Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship began on the directives of Secretary Sports Punjab Aamir Jan at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall on Saturday. Women boxers exhibited brilliant boxing skills on the opening day of the championship.

According to results, Laiba Shafiq of Faisalabad defeated Gujranwala’s Hurria, Sania Ismael of DG Khan beat Multan’s Aleena, Ruma Yousaf of Pindi beat Faria Zubai, Lahore’s Rabia Basra beat Sania of Bahawalpur in the 45kg weieght category and won the qualifying round.

In the Boy U-16 event, Ehtasham Hasan, Hamza Shakir of Lahore, Sibghatullah of Bahawalpur won their matches in 32kg weight category.