Sports

British govt to support Amir Khan's sports academy in Islamabad

Khan encourages all international sportsmen to visit Pakistan

Zahid Gishkori August 22, 2015

Khan encourages all international sportsmen to visit Pakistan. PHOTO: AMIR KHAN FACEBOOK PAGE

ISLAMABAD: The British government agreed on Saturday to support boxer Amir Khan to establish a sports academy for training young Pakistani boxers.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton met the Briton boxer, who earlier expressed desire to establish an academy in the capital.

"Amir is a great ambassador for sport both in the UK and in Pakistan. He personifies the cultural bonds between our two nations including our shared love for sports," Barton said.

"I am delighted Amir plans to establish a boxing academy in Pakistan. Young talent needs to be nurtured and supported. I am sure the academy will produce many Pakistani boxing champions in the future," he added.

Photo: Amir Khan Facebook Page

Earlier, Khan said that he believed Pakistan has the ability to produce numerous champions and sought the government’s help in establishing the academy in the capital.

"Pakistan can produce not one or two, but several champions; but they need support,” he said.

Read: Amir Khan to set up boxing academy in Islamabad

Following the meeting with the high commissioner, Khan appreciated the support and said, "I am grateful to the British high commissioner on his support to my plans of training Pakistani boxers. As a British Pakistani, I have always felt privileged to be part of the deep connections between the UK and Pakistan that are embedded in the historical and cultural ties between the two countries."

He added,"I fully encourage other international sportsmen to visit Pakistan."

COMMENTS (5)

naz nazish | 9 years ago | Reply i find this to be wrong he has enough money to fund it himself. im a British born Pakistani however i don't see myself as a Pakistani i only see my self as British and so should amir khan. he should built more gyms in the uk and create more jobs here in the uk that helped him get to where he is today and leave the Pakistani government to built on there own people this is just wrong

Brian Gimbird | 9 years ago | Reply As a Btritish citizen, I have to ask what our government thinks it doing ? We have an upsurge of refugees and we want to support boxing in Paklistan ? At the same time we have cut back funding for our Olympic association. Please wake up !!!

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Shahid sattar | 9 years ago | Reply British may or may not support this but please stop supporting that terrorist character who has kept this country hostage for 3 decades.

MJ | 9 years ago | Reply Need a decent boxing academy in Liyari more than anywhere else in Pakistan.

Striver | 9 years ago | Reply Excellent. Well done Amir Khan and Britain. After Tony Blair's blunder of riding on the coat tails of Bush's war on terror Britain needs to win back the goodwill it naturally has in Pakistan and the region as a whole. Had it maintained an independent stance in the war on terror it would have far greater influence in the region than it does now.

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