Boxing tournament in jeopardy

NOC delay puts the hosting of event in doubt.

KARACHI:

The sports ministry’s delay in issuing the NOC has put the second edition of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship in jeopardy, said the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF).

The PBF planned to hold the tournament from July 20 following an encouraging response to the first edition that saw boxers from around 50 countries take part. For the second edition, the PBF sent invites to 53 countries including 30 Asian and 10 each from Africa and Europe. However , the PBF has failed to obtain the NOC that it has been seeking repeatedly from the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC).

“We are reminding them about the NOC for weeks now,” PBF Secretary Akram Khan told The Express Tribune. “But we are yet to receive the clearance which is not understandable. The AIBA and the ASBC are seeking clearance of the sports ministry because they have formed various committees for an event like this.”

The secretary also feared that a further delay can even lead to the cancellation of the  tournament.

“All countries are looking to host major competitions to have the best preparation for next year’s Olympics,” added Khan. “The countries are looking forward to compete in Pakistan after the successful first edition and we’re hopeful for maximum participation.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2011.