ISLAMABAD: The cherished dream of Britain-born Pakistani boxer Amir Khan to establish a boxing academy in Pakistan is about to be realised after the WBC silver welterweight world champion on Friday signed an agreement here at the Pakistan Sports Complex for the establishment of the same.

Amid a colourful ceremony, the visiting boxer signed an MoU with director general of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera according to which Amir will bear the running costs of the boxing academy and provide coaches and equipments while the PSB will provide other facilities to boxers such as boarding and lodging etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Amir said that he has plans to establish several training academies in Pakistan.

“Once this academy is off the ground, I assure you that Pakistan will have a boxing medal within 12 months in international competitions,” said the world renowned boxer excitedly. Amir added that he would provide the best coaches for the academy.

Amir later mingled with the large number of his fans who had gathered in Rodam Hall of the Sport Complex to witness the MoU signing ceremony. Almost everyone in the hall tried to have a picture with the famous boxer and he didn’t disappoint anyone.

A boxing net was also set up in the hall on this occasion where Amir demonstrated his boxing techniques to his fans. “My dream is to help Pakistan sports and this academy is the stepping stone towards fulfilling that dream. I will soon be establishing several academies here,” he said.

“I strongly believe that Pakistan has a lot of talent which needs to be groomed and we can make many champions for Pakistan through these academies,” he said.

According to the MoU, the Pakistan Sports Board has named newly constructed boxing hall after Amir Khan, where the champion boxer will start boxing academy anytime soon.”

Ganjera also vowed to fully cooperate with Amir in his academy project and added his organisation will continue to support and promote sports throughout the country.

Earlier, Amir praised the U-13 Pakistan football team which recently won Football Fiesta in South Korea.

The team has, indeed, done the country proud by winning all the matches in Korea in a high-profile event where as many as twenty Asian nations participated. The Pakistan team scored 20 goals and didn’t concede even a single goal in the tournament.

Amir appreciated the young team, saying the young soccer kids have inspired everyone. “This is the kind of talent I am referring to that we have in Pakistan. It only needs support and grooming.”

IPC secretary Ejaz Chaudhry, joint secretary Khalid Mahmood Mirza and other PSB officials attended the MoU signing ceremony.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2015

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