Pakistan considering more Britain boxers for London Olympics
Two pugilists invited to attend camp in England.
KARACHI:
In a bid to achieve a good result in the 2012 London Olympics, the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is likely to include two more Britian-based pugilists in the Pakistan team.
The PBF is keeping its options open after two British boxers Raja Hasnain and Zulqy Rehman showed interest in representing Pakistan.
If the deal is confirmed, the two Pakistan-born pugilists will join Bolton-based Haroon Khan, younger brother of the world welterweight champion Amir Khan. Haroon, barring fitness issues, has already been confirmed to play for Pakistan following his third-place finish in the Commonwealth Games last year.
Meanwhile, Rehman and Hasnain have shown their willingness and have been associated with Amir’s promotional company. The PBF has invited them for the boxing camp expected to be set up in England next month.
“We will definitely consider them if they show their worth,” PBF Secretary Akram Khan told The Express Tribune.
“They will be closely monitored during the camp and their performance and fitness level will be compared to our boxers.”
The PBF will send four players for the training camp under Ali Baksh who is serving as national coach in the absence of Cuba-based instructor Francisco Hernandez Roldan.
Duo to participate in tournament
The PBF will also ask Hasnain and Rehman to participate in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship planned to be held in July in Islamabad.
“Their fate will be decided after the tournament following a report by the head coach,” said Akram.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2011.
In a bid to achieve a good result in the 2012 London Olympics, the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is likely to include two more Britian-based pugilists in the Pakistan team.
The PBF is keeping its options open after two British boxers Raja Hasnain and Zulqy Rehman showed interest in representing Pakistan.
If the deal is confirmed, the two Pakistan-born pugilists will join Bolton-based Haroon Khan, younger brother of the world welterweight champion Amir Khan. Haroon, barring fitness issues, has already been confirmed to play for Pakistan following his third-place finish in the Commonwealth Games last year.
Meanwhile, Rehman and Hasnain have shown their willingness and have been associated with Amir’s promotional company. The PBF has invited them for the boxing camp expected to be set up in England next month.
“We will definitely consider them if they show their worth,” PBF Secretary Akram Khan told The Express Tribune.
“They will be closely monitored during the camp and their performance and fitness level will be compared to our boxers.”
The PBF will send four players for the training camp under Ali Baksh who is serving as national coach in the absence of Cuba-based instructor Francisco Hernandez Roldan.
Duo to participate in tournament
The PBF will also ask Hasnain and Rehman to participate in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship planned to be held in July in Islamabad.
“Their fate will be decided after the tournament following a report by the head coach,” said Akram.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 28th, 2011.