United through sport: Boxing for peace in Lyari

Sindh Rangers' All Pakistan Amir Khan Boxing Tournament begins today


Our Correspondent December 13, 2015
From the recent visit British boxer Amir Khan poses for a photograph with Pakistani boxers Jahan Zaib and Shahroz Kachi in Karachi Lyari. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Sindh Rangers are organising the All Pakistan Amir Khan Boxing Tournament from December 13 to December 21 at the Peoples Football Stadium in Lyari.

Eighteen teams from different parts of Pakistan will participate in the tournament, said 92-wing commander Colonel Zahid Hussain Shirazi.

Addressing a press conference at the Peoples Football Stadium on Sunday, Colonel Shirazi said that Lyari is the main hub of sports activities. "Nowhere else do such sporting activities take place as they do in Lyari," he claimed.

Amir Khan visits Lyari, inspires upcoming boxers

He said that due to the law and order situation, sporting activities were limited, adding that the Sindh Rangers have decided to revive healthy activities in Lyari.



The Rangers official said that on the directives of the Sindh Rangers director-general, Major General Bilal Akbar, the tournament has been organised in Lyari.

"The arrangement of a boxing tournament in Lyari means to spread the message that Pakistan is a peaceful country," explained Colonel Shirazi.

The Sindh Rangers will also organise the All Pakistan Football Tournament after two months at the same stadium.

Banners advertising the boxing tournament, with photographs of renowned boxer Amir Khan, have been displayed on Mauripur Road.

"Amir Khan will be the guest of the honour on the final day [of the tournament]," he said.

Unemployment

Explaining the law and order situation in the city's oldest area, Colonel Shirazi said that a list of 2,000 young and educated unemployed persons in Lyari has been made. "There is too much unemployment in Lyari," he lamented. "We'll give them job opportunities within the city in different organisations and will also provide them the opportunity to go outside the port city," he added.

Amir visits Lyari, kindles hope among its boxers

He said that the Sindh Rangers have also adopted a Technical Training Institute where the youth of Lyari will be provided opportunities to learn new trades.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th,  2015.

COMMENTS (1)

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply Certainly a step in the right direction. Something which should have been a focus of the elected representatives, who seemed quite busy in arming the gangs and calling them their sons.
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