Boxing: PBF appeals for Haroon’s clearance

Federation disappointed after boxer denied permission to represent Pakistan.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has requested the sport’s governing body to let Haroon Khan represent the country at next year’s Olympic qualifiers that are due to be held in February.

The PBF officials said that they have appealed to the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) for permission after the UK-based boxer had represented Pakistan at the 2010 Commonwealth Games as well.

The AIBA, in a letter sent to the PBF, expressed reservations over Haroon taking part as a Pakistan player at the qualifiers since the boxer has represented England earlier in his career.

However, the PBF was hopeful of his participation and has sent a letter to the AIBA.  “We want him to play for Pakistan because he has represented us at the Commonwealth Games last year where he won a bronze medal,” PBF President Doda Khan Bhutto told The Express Tribune.”We are still pinning our hopes on Haroon’s participation.”

Meanwhile, PBF Secretary Akram Khan said that Pakistan’s qualification for the London Olympics seems unlikely after Haroon also missed out on the World Boxing Championships Baku 2011, which also serves as another Olympic qualifier.

‘It’s dissappointing’

Haroon’s manager Shajaad Khan claimed that someone must have registered a complaint against the 20-year-old to the AIBA that put his participation as a Pakistan player in doubt.

Shajaad said that AIBA’s objection was the reason behind Haroon’s absence from the ongoing World Champions in Baku.

“It could be anybody but this wasn’t an issue last year when Haroon represented Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games,” said Shajaad. “Everyone knows who Haroon is. He obtained dual nationality in 2010 and this is disappointing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th,  2011.