Boxing coach upbeat for Asian event

KARACHI: Pakistan’s boxing coach Ali Bakhsh said on Friday he would be able to pick a good lot for the Asian Championship to be held in Thailand in August.
“A few boxers played very well in today’s bouts of the National Ranking Championship and I hope we will form a solid squad for the Bangkok event,” he told ‘The News’.
“Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has given me full authority in selection but I will discuss with them selection issues as it is important,” said Ali, a former international.
As many as 13 bouts of the Ranking Championship were held in which there was no surprising result. Most of those boxers triumphed who have the experience of playing in international circuit.
In 49kg, Jehanzeb of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) defeated Zafar of Balochistan; in 52kg Nadeem (Army) got the better of Abdullah (K-Electric); Nisar Khan (Navy) edged Ataullah (WAPDA); and Nadeem in his second fight defeated Dawod of Navy.
In 56kg, Niamatullah (PAF) whacked Mohibullah (Balochistan); and Nadir Baloch (Rangers) defeated Shafiq (Army).
In 60kg, Abid Jan (PAF) beat Noor Mohammad (KPT); and WAPDA’s Sardar Mohammad got the better of Kher Mohammad of Rangers.
In 64kg, Adnan Hussain (PAF) overpowered Zeeshan Ahmed (Punjab); and Naqeebullah (K-Electric) technically knocked out Qadir Khan (Navy) after the latter received a deep cut just below his eye. Qadir was taken to hospital where he got eight stitches.
In 69kg, experienced international Amir Khan (WAPDA) defeated Tanveer Ahmed (Navy); and Arshad Hussain (PAF) got the better of Mir Balach (Sindh).
In 81kg, Mirza Azam (PAF) defeated Faisal Khan (Balochistan) with an enviable ease.
The country’s experienced boxer Mohammad Waseem, Ali Ahmed, Gul Zeb and Awais Khan, who have recently returned from Korea after a fortnight training in Incheon, are expected to join the camp on Monday.
“These four boxers will also be tested,” Ali Bakhsh said.
PBF president Doda Khan Bhutto, secretary Iqbal Hussain and treasurer Asghar Baloch also witnessed the competitions.
The PBF Referees/Judges Commission chairman Younis Pathan served as the judge during the competitions.
Doda told ‘The News’ on the sidelines of the competitions here at the PSB Coaching Centre that efforts would be made to send boxers to Thailand for the Asian Championship in all weight categories. “Asian Championship also serves as qualifiers for the World Championship so we will try to field maximum number of boxers in the Asian event in order to create more qualifying chances for the world event,” Doda said.
The World Championship will be held in Doha in October. The event also serves as qualifiers for next year’s Rio Olympics.
Doda said that he had made all arrangements for Pakistani boxers’ tour of England. “Waseem and three other boxers will be sent to England as soon as possible. The boxers will soon apply for visas,” he said. The squad for the Asian Championship will be announced in a few days.