KARACHI: Stockily built pugilists of Lyari-1 did their team proud by winning top honours in the All-Sindh Boxing Championship which concluded at the Ustad Abdullah Baloch boxing stadium, Peoples Sports Complex, on Wednesday.

The eventual champions fetched 90 points by securing five gold, one silver and one bronze medals to excel in the three-day event which was participated by eight teams including three of Lyari.

They were followed by Lyari-2 who amassed 65 points from one gold, three silver and four bronze medals while Mirpurkhas finished third with 45 points by capturing a gold, a silver and four bronze.

Shehroz Kachi of Lyari-1 was declared Best Boxers while Adil Khan of Karachi was declared Best Loser of the competition.

The colourful event was held under the aegis of the Sindh Rangers in collaboration with the Sindh Boxing Association.

Director General Rangers Sindh Major Gen Bilal Akbar, who graced the occasion, awarded trophies and gold, silver and bronze medals among the winners. During his almost two hour stay he also witnessed two final bouts of 49kg and 52kg and the traditional Baloch dance besides fireworks. Later, he posed for a photograph with medal winners.

Also present on the occasion were DIG South Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) president, Doda Khan Bhutto, chief organiser Wing Cdr 93 Wing Lt Col Sohail Ahmad, officials of Balochistan Boxing Association Mohammad Sadiq Achakzai and Habibullah Jafri, 1972 Olympian Malang Baloch, boxing officials Mohammad Younis Pathan, Abid Brohi and Asghar Baloch.

Speaking on the occasion, the DG Rangers expressed optimism that with the support of people and police, he would be able to restore peace of the city including Lyari in due course of time.

He said besides an all-Pakistan boxing event, a football tournament will also be organised at the same venue next month. He called upon footballers to start practicing for the event.

The DG Rangers said a couple of Turkish footballers from an Istambul club may also feature in the contest. Pakistan consul general in Istanbul is negotiating to bring foreign players, he added amidst applause.

Meanwhile, the pugilists and officials have been invited by the Corps Commander on Thursday where he will present cash prizes to the teams and Rs5,000 appearance money apiece to all boxers.

Final results:

49kg: Shehroz Kachi (Lyari-1) bt Jehanzeb (Lyari-2) 3-2.

52kg: Mohammad Amjad (Mirpurkhas) bt Badshah Khan (Lyari-1) 3-2.

56kg: Shehryar Kachi (Lyari-1) bt Faizan Butt (Karachi) 3-2.

60kg: Abdul Razzaq (Lyari-2) bt Mohammad Bilal (Hyderabad) 4-1.

64kg: Naqibullah (Karachi) bt Munawwar Hussain (Mirpurkhas) 3-2.

69kg: Khalil Asghar (Lyari-3) bt Adil Khan (Karachi) 3-2.

75kg: Wali Khan (Lyari-1) bt Jawaid Akhtar (Lyari-3) 4-1.

8 kg: Mohsin (Lyari-1) bt Naveed (Larkana) 4-1.

91kg: Abijozi Khan (Lyari-1) bt Ensanullah Khan (Lyari-2) 4-1.

Plus 91kg: Yasir Jamil (Sukkur) bt Mustafa (Lyari-2) 4-1.

Published in Dawn February 26th , 2015

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