The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Secretary Akram Khan received a letter from the Mauritian boxing association that confirmed their withdrawal from the camp.
“We received a letter from their boxing chief Raj Kumar in which he informed us that they can’t send their team due to shortage of funds,” Akram told The Express Tribune. “It’s a setback because their boxers and coaches have good skills and our boxers would’ve learnt a lot.”
Mauritius were due to send their seven top boxers and coaching panel comprising three coaches to the camp that started on August 25.
So far only four boxers from Sri Lanka, apart from a group of 22 local boxers, are taking part in the camp. Central Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon also confirmed their participation but are yet to arrive.
“We’ve contacted these countries but have not received any response from them so far. There are a couple of weeks to go and we might see the participation of other foreign boxers.”
Camp in full swing
Meanwhile, Akram said that the camp was in full swing despite the absence of most countries.
“The boxers are undergoing intensive training in two sessions daily under the supervision of local and Sri Lankan coaches.”
Seasoned boxer Muhammad Waseem, who clinched a gold medal in the recently-held Combat Games in China, expressed reservations and said that Pakistan boxers were not benefitting from the camp due to the absence of experienced boxers.
Akram however, rejected the notion and said, “The camp is still worthwhile because the boxers are getting a chance to compete with their foreign counterparts. There is always a difference between competing against countrymen and foreign players.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2010.
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