More British boxers to represent Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is looking forward to bringing at least two British-Pakistani boxers from London’s Stonebridge club by the end of this year so that they can represent Pakistan in the 2012 Olympics.

“We have been approached by Syed Najam Aziz, a former amateur British boxer who co-owns Stonebridge boxing club and TKO boxing club with Tony Cesay, the former two time Amatuer Boxing Association (ABA) champion,” PBF manager Iqbal Hussain told The Express Tribune. “It’s a great opportunity for the federation to capitalise on the patriotism of these boxers from abroad. If they want to fight for Pakistan then PBF is up for it.”

The arrangement for the boxers are being made by Aziz who approached PBF as a part of a vision of promoting boxing as way for stray youngsters to get back to a healthy lifestyle. The PBF, according to the officials, has struck a good sponsorship with the firm based in the UK who is ready to sponsor boxing kits for the boxers from Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games which will be held later this year. “There is a great new trend among the British-Muslim youth,” said Aziz.

“They want to get away from aimless street life, and our clubs pick up these boxers at a very tender age and train them. “Cesay has been training more than 15 Pakistani muslims over there and they are making good progress.”

Published in the Express Tribune, May 13th, 2010.

AIBA grant support for Pakistan int’l boxing event

KARACHI: The Vice President of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Iqbal Hussain met AIBA President Ching Kuo Wu at Guiyang Monday ahead of the opening ceremony of first AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship.

PBF Vice President and Pakistan team manager Iqbal Hussain told awansports.blogspot.com from Guiyang that he has discussed many boxing issues with AIBA President especially related to Pakistan.

“Our meeting was very fruitful and we have discussed many issues like PBF will host President Cup International Boxing Tournament in July this year so he committed full support and showed his interest to personally coming to Pakistan during the said tournament”, said Iqbal Hussain.

AIBA President also apologised for not coming to Pakistan due to some other important international appointments during Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament (SBBIBT) which was held at Karachi in January this year. However, he praised Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) for holding a big event during which 23 countries participated.

“Pakistan is an important country in boxing world so we will provide all kinds of support to Pakistan and the PBF” said Ching Kuo.

Iqbal Hussain also called on Terry Smith, Chairman AIBA referee judge commission and now technical delegate of first AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship, and discussed with him chances for Pakistani referee judges in international boxing arena.

Pakistani boxers to feature in China, Iraq

KARACHI: A four-member boxing squad will feature in the first AIBA China Open International Boxing Championship, to be held from April 3-11 in Guiyang while another three-member squad will participate in the first Baghdad International Youth Open Championship, to be held from April 2-11 in Baghdad.

Mohammad Waseem (flyweight), Naimatullah (bantamweight), Nisar Khan (middleweight) and Mir Waiz (super heavyweight) would contest in the China Open Championship.

Iqbal Hussain will accompany the team as its manager while Akram Khan would be the referee judge.

Arshad Hussain will be the coach of the team during the tournament.

Pakistan Boxing Federation President Doda Khan Bhutto will join the team on April 7 and will hold a meeting with AIBA President Ching Kuo Wu.

Teams from more than forty countries will be seen in action during the eleven-day tournament.

Meanwhile, Mohib Bacha (light-flyweight), Qadir Khan (featherweight) and Riaz Cheema (lightweight) will represent Pakistan in the inaugural Baghdad Youth tournament.

Abdul Majeed (coach) and S. Mohammad Shareef (referee judge) would accompany the team. Around twenty countries would contest for top honours in the tournament.