PBF wants role in international boxing association

Pakistan Boxing Federation is seeking a role in the International Boxing Association to end the four year isolation.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is seeking a role in the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to end the four-year isolation from the game’s governing body.

A PBF delegation comprising President Doda Khan Bhutto, Vice-President Iqbal Hussain and General-Secretary Akram Khan will meet AIBA Vice-President Gofur Arslonbek Rakhimov today to discuss the role of the federation in the international body. Akram said the delegation will push AIBA’s president for a post, claiming that none of the federation’s officials have gotten any position in the association since 2006.

“We want the PBF president to be posted as a member of AIBA’s executive committee and we will discuss it with Rakhimov besides other matters pertaining to the association’s polls in November,” Akram told The Express Tribune.

Former PBF president Professor Anwer Chaudhary, who passed away in June, not only served as AIBA president from 1986 to 2006, but also held the offices of secretary-general (12 years) and vice-president (eight years).

“By becoming a part of AIBA we can bring more international events to our country that will be good for our boxing.”

Lack of funds delay training camp

The PBF has postponed the joint training camp ahead of this October’s Commonwealth Games which will now start from August 25 instead of August 15.

Akram said that the federation had still not received a grant of Rs3.5 million from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for holding the camp. “We are waiting for the grant that’s why we have had to delay the camp.”

Nine out of 27 countries who were sent invitations for the camp have confirmed participation in the camp so far including Malaysia, Central Republic of Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Rwanda, Nigeria and Uganda.

Khan said the PBF will reduce the number of countries for the 35-day camp if they do not receive funds by PSB.  “PBF might host five countries instead of nine but we will definitely hold the camp because it is very important for our boxers ahead of Commonwealth Games.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2010.