ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is all set to introduce national rankings of country’s boxers next month by holding competitions among pugilists of two camps, currently underway in Karachi and Islamabad.

“We’ve decided to hold inter-camp national ranking championship from April 28 to 23 at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad. This is a unique idea being introduced by us for the first time in the country,” PBF secretary Lt Col Nasir Ejaz Tung told APP on Tuesday.

He said rankings of pugilists in all weight categories would be announced on the basis of the championship.

The federation has set up two camps to provide training to country’s emerging boxers.

One camp is underway at the National and Training Centre of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in Karachi where 21 boxers are getting training.

Another camp, consisting of the same number of pugilists has been established at the Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad.

Both the camps will continue till the commencement of inter-camp championship.

Nasir said boxers for the camps had been selected on the basis of their past performance at the national level.

“We are trying our best to put our best boxing talent on display in this championship. The top position-holders of each category will be awarded first, second and third ranking,” he added.

He said the camp in Karachi was being supervised by chief coach Ali Busksh while he was being assisted by three trainers — Sajid Raja, Tariq Gujjar and Liaquat.

The camp in Islamabad is being managed by head coach Arshad Hussain, who has assistance of three trainers — Syed Hassan, Nisar and Abid.

“We want to announce the ranking of our boxers ahead of the Islamic Solidarity Games, taking place at Baku, Azerbaijan, in May. Top pugilists will get an opportunity to represent the country at the coveted sports event,” he added.

He said the inter-camp championship would also be a great test for coaches and trainers, and added that Pakistan would send eight boxers of different weight categories to the Islamic Games.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017