Army asked to help with boxing event

Tyson invited; PBF plans tight measures with 30 nations expected to take part.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) will hold meetings with government and army officials in a bid to ensure tight security arrangements for the 2nd Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship scheduled to take place in Islamabad next month.

The PBF has extended invitations to former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and Briton Amir Khan while the event is expected to attract around 200 boxers from 30 countries.

In order to provide security to the participants and guests, the federation plans on leaving no stone unturned, according to its secretary Akram Khan.

Meetings to take place soon

“We know how important security is and we will act accordingly,” Akram told The Express Tribune.

“We have devised an initial plan and all stake-holders will be taken on board. We will take the army’s help and our vice-president [Brig. Naseer Iqtida] will help us with that.

“We will also be meeting the interior minister soon in order to finalise the plans.”

Event to help revive sports in Pakistan

Akram hoped that the smooth conduct of the event will help revive international events in Pakistan.

He added that 116 boxers from 23 countries had confirmed their entry in the event and that a total of ‘200 boxers from at least 30 countries’ were expected to form the final line-up.

The PBF secretary said arrangements for the event were on track and vowed to hold the event in a befitting manner despite having forced to postpone it three times since its scheduled date in September.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2011.