KARACHI: The quartet of Abdul Waheed, Amir Khan, Mohammad Zeeshan and Munir Ahmed delighted spectators with their brilliance by outpointing their opponents in the first-round bouts of different categories as all-Pakistan Amir Khan boxing tournament exploded into action at the Ustad Abdullah Baloch Stadium, Peoples Sports Complex, on Monday.

The programme was revised and only four first-round bouts could take place instead of originally announced 22.

Abdul Waheed of the PAF, the losing quarter-finalist of the 35th National Boxing Championship recently, sent Jamal of the KPT packing 2-1 in the 56 kg.

Amir Khan of the Navy also propelled into the second round by getting the better of Sindh Rangers’ Khair Mohammad 2-1 in the 60 kg.

Mohammad Zeeshan (Punjab) and Munir Ahmed (Navy) also sneaked into the next round registering 2-1 victories apiece over their respective opponents in 64 kg and 69 kg, respectively.

At the outset, Director General Rangers Sindh Maj Gen Bilal Akbar took salute of the participating teams and declared the tournament open amidst pageantry. The president of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto was also present on the occasion.

National anthem was played besides releasing pigeons and balloons in the air. Famous Baloch dance Leva was also performed on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Bilal reiterated the role played by Lyari sportsmen in carrying the Pakistan flag aloft in the world particularly in boxing and football since the country’s coming into being.

Amidst applause from the crowd he announced to induct 25 budding youngsters in the Sindh Rangers’ boxing team soon.

The DG Rangers also assured to lend full support to the PBF in staging international boxing event in the city in Sept next.

He also welcomed Azad Kashmir outfit for competing in the all-Pakistan event for the first time.

First round results:

56 kg: Abdul Waheed (PAF) bt Jamal (KPT) 2-1

60 kg: Amir Khan (Navy) bt Khair Mohammad (Sindh Rangers) 2-1

64 kg: Mohammad Zeeshan (Punjab) bt Agha Mohammad (Balochistan) 2-1

69 kg: Munir Ahmed (Navy) bt Shahzad (Sindh Whites) 2-1

Tuesday’s fixtures:

Bouts start at 2pm.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2015