KARACHI, June 18: Indian pugilists are yet to get Pakistan visas for participation in the inaugural Asian boxing championship despite repeated requests and submitting documents three months ago, Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) announced on Saturday.
The 20-nation event scheduled to be held at KPT Sports Complex from June 20 to 25 with as many as 12 countries taking part.
PBF President Prof. Anwar Chowdhry lamented the authorities for non issuance of visa to Indian boxers at a news conference.
He negated the impressions that Indians were not participating in the event because of alleged cheating done in the event last year.
He however expressed the hope that visa arrangements for the Indian team would be completed later on Saturday. Like Taiwan, Indian boxers will be issued visa on arrival at the airport.
According to figures provided by PBF, 124 boxers representing Afghanistan, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and host Pakistan will be featuring in the 6-day fist fighting gala.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan will be entering in all 11 weight categories while Kyrgyzstan will contest in ten weight divisions.
A 12-member Kyrgyzstan squad had already arrived to take part in the event while two more teams will be reaching here later tonight and rest on Sunday.
The general medical and weigh-in of the boxers will be held at Mehran Hotel on Monday and managers technical meeting will held the same day.
The draws will be taken out at 11.00am on Tuesday while opening ceremony and preliminary bouts will start at 2.45pm.—APP