KARACHI: The Pakistan Boxing Federation’s (PBF) plans of hosting international events fell in jeopardy after the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) declined a grant request sent by the PBF.
After successfully holding the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament earlier this year, the PBF planned to host the London Olympics Qualifiers that could see participation of boxers from over 50 Asian countries.
Besides, the federation was also planning to host a joint training camp later this month for the Commonwealth Games, for which it has already received confirmation from various Asian and African countries.
The PBF secretary Akram Khan said the fate of both the events hangs in the balance after the PSB refused to assure grant for the two events.
“We have received a reply to our request for a grant from the PSB in which they have shown lack of interest for both events,” Akram told The Express Tribune.
He said the federation had asked the PSB to provide a grant of Rs3.5 million for the joint training besides an amount of Rs70 million for the Olympics Qualifier.
“The PSB has asked for details of expenditure for the Olympics Qualifier in its reply which we already sent in our request. It seems the board is not interested in the competition,” added Akram.
The secretary felt the country would lose a golden chance of hosting a mega international event if the PSB would not assure funds for the event that is scheduled for March, 2012.
“The last date of submitting a bid for the event is in October and if the PSB does not assure funds before it, we will lose the chance,” said Akram while adding it was the PBF which hosted a major international tournament amid drought of sports events in the country.
The secretary said the federation has promised to give the PSB all the sponsorship money it will get, in return of its grant for the Olympics Qualifier.
CW Games training to be affected
PBF feared boxers’ preparations for this October’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi would be affected if it will not get funds to hold the training camp.
“We planned the joint training camp from August 15 and if it will not happen then our boxers will have to rely on the same camp that is already underway,” said Akram while adding that the present camp will not be as effective as the joint training camp that will see foreign boxers in action.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2010.
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