Olympics heartbreak for Pakistan boxing

Abbas’ name turned down for London Games despite earlier hopes.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s hopes of receiving a wild-card entry in the boxing event at the 2012 London Olympics were dashed after Zulqarnain Abbas’ name was turned down in a meeting between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Instead, Iraq boxer Ahmed Abdul Kareem was preferred in the 69-kg category. In other categories, Angola’s Tumba Silva (91kg), DR Congo’s Meji Mwanba ( 91-plus kg), Honduras’ Bayron Molina Figueroa (49kg), Panama’s Juan Huertas (60kg), Afghanistan’s Ajmal Faisal (52kg) and Montenegro’s Bosko Draskovic (81kg) got the nod.

Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Secretary Akram Khan said Abbas was overlooked after he missed the world championship.  “Abbas wasn’t selected for that event which was the main reason for his rejection,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “His inclusion would’ve been a boost for Pakistan but unfortunately he couldn’t make the cut.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2012.