Delayed boxing camp starts sans head coach

Around 20 pugilists start Olympics preparation without Cuba-based trainer.

KARACHI:

The much-delayed boxing training camp for the 2012 London Olympics finally started yesterday with the top national pugilists flexing their muscles at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Complex in Islamabad but without head coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan.

The camp that was supposed to start early last month was delayed after the PSB refused to give the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) the go-ahead. The camp, involving as many as 20 pugilists, however started training in the absence of Cuba-based coach, whose contract is yet to be renewed.

“It took a long time but we are happy it has finally started,” the PBF Secretary Akram Khan told The Express Tribune. “The camp will continue till next year’s London Olympics and we will include more boxers in it in the coming days.”

Khan also said that in the absence of Roldan, four local coaches including former international Ali Baksh along with Ijaz Mehmood, Arshad Hussain and Lal Shah will supervise the camp.

‘Cuban coach will be missed’

The secretary, however, felt that Roldan, who was with the team since a couple of years, will be missed in the camp. “Definitely his absence will affect preparations. The rhythm will break as the boxers were more comfortable under him due to his close association for several months.”

Khan, meanwhile, hoped that the PSB will renew the coach’s contract as soon as possible. “I’m hopeful he will return as soon as the PSB assures him of its support.”

Boxers to participate in China event

Khan also confirmed that the PBF will send boxers to the China Open Two-Star Boxing event to be held in the last week of this month.

“We will send at least four boxers to China. Our target is to give maximum international exposure to our boxers before the Olympics qualifying events.”

Khan also added that the federation has received an invitation from his England counterpart who will host a training camp for the 2012 London Olympics.

“We’ve sought an NOC from the PSB and the Sports Ministry and if we are granted permission we’ll send our main boxers to England for training.”

Apart from that, the federation has also planned participation in 14 international competitions this year before September’s World Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan, that will serve as the first Olympics qualifiers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2011.