KARACHI, June 26: Pakistan's qualified pugilist for Athens Olympics Nauman Karim after being tested positive for using prohibited substance during the 9th SAF Games, has been banned from taking part in all boxing competitions for one year including Athens Olympics.

The doping control procedures were conducted during the 9th SAF Games held at Islamabad from March 29-April 7.

According to Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) the notification to this effect was issued on 15th June to Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF).

Apart from Nauman three other Pakistani boxers who participated in SAF Games Mehrullah, Muzaffar Iqbal Mirza and Faisal Karim also tested positive for using cannaboids which fall in category of specified substance.

On the recommendations of the disciplinary committee on Doping Control 9th SAF Games, President Gen Syed Arif Hasan SAF and NOC Pakistan has ordered as under:

"The medals and awards of three boxers excluding Nauman Karim, of 9th SAF Games were not disturbed, however, keeping in view the spirit that sports should remain clean, the PBF shall issue a letter of reprimand to the said boxers under intimation to NOC Pakistan.

The concerned boxers must also submit a letter of assurance offering their apology that they shall not use cannaboids even unintentionally before they are allowed participation in other competitions."

President Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Prof Anwar Chowhdry said on Saturday that this was very sad for us as Nauman was our best boxer and medal hope in Olympic Games. Besides Nauman all the other three boxers received warnings.

Except Muzaffar Iqbal Mirza all the other three boxers who tested positive qualified for Athens Olympics. Now only five boxers are left to take part in the Athens Olympics after the ban of one year on Nauman Karim.

PBF took very strict notice of this incident and made it very clear to every pugilist that they could face a life ban if such type of case occurs in the future.

According to PBF chief this is a first such case in the last 50 years as far as Pakistani boxers were concerned.-PPI