Boxing squad leaves for Baku without Cheema, Amir today

KARACHI: US-born boxer Umar Cheema and Amir Khan were on Monday omitted from the national boxing squad which was scheduled to fly from Islamabad for Baku early this morning (Tuesday) to participate in the world qualifying round for Olympics pencilled in for June 16-25.

“Yes, Cheema and Amir are not going to Baku,” Pakistan Boxing Federation’s (PBF) secretary Iqbal Hussain told ‘The News’ on Monday.

The 21-year-old Cheema, who had been controversially picked for the tour, developed a stomach problem a couple of days ago which prevented him from proceeding to Baku.

“I just talked to him and he said he is now fit but would not be able to go to Baku,” Iqbal said.

Cheema had been picked in the 64 kilogramme weight category.

The welterweight boxer Amir Khan’s case was different. According to sources Amir’s passport had been with Mexico’s embassy, so he could not apply for Azerbaijan visa.

A team source said that Amir had not disclosed this thing to the team management. Amir wants to play pro boxing in Mexico, the source added.

Only five boxers now will compete for Rio de Janeiro from Pakistan: Mohammad Asif (52kg), the 2010 South Asian Games gold medallist Niamatullah (56kg), Ali Ahmed (60kg), Tanvir Ahmed (75kg) and Awais Ali Khan (81kg).

Former Olympian Arshad Hussain and Tariq Gujar will accompany the squad as coaches. Nasir Tung will be the manager. Habib Shah, a senior official of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), will accompany the side as an observer.

Iqbal Hussain will proceed to Baku after a couple of days.

The team will move by Qatar Airways which will have a stop-over at Doha. Coach Arshad said Amir’s exclusion was a big blow for Pakistan. “Amir was super fit and his unfortunate omission from the squad is a great setback,” Arshad told ‘The News’.

He said had Pakistan boxers got a couple of months training abroad at least three boxers would have surely booked seats for Rio.

“I have worked extremely hard. The five boxers going to Baku are the best available in their weights. They are very good and now are in peak form and can give surprise,” Arshad said.

Former international Mohammad Nisar served as Arshad’s assistant during a six-week camp in Islamabad but surprisingly it is Tariq Gujjar who is going with the squad. “Tariq was ill all these days and he will join the touring party today,” Iqbal said.

When asked why Tariq was going when he had not been with the boxers during the camp, Iqbal said: “Tariq had been associated with these boxers in the past and knows them better.”

He claimed that a couple of boxers could earn seats for Rio Olympics.

“I am not very much sure but two boys can pull off a surprise,” the official said.

It would be a huge breakthrough if any boxer qualified for Olympics.  Pakistan last participated in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

In the five weights in which Pakistan is going to field its boxers, five pugilists each will win berths for Rio de Janeiro.

Pakistan has chosen not to field boxers in light flyweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight categories because in the former weight only two seats are up for grabs and only one each in the heavyweights.