KARACHI, Aug 2: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is likely to hold an international boxing event in Karachi next month.

PBF will also hold national boxing tournament prior to the said tournament. The national tournament will serve as the launching pad for national pugilists for the international event.

According to the details some 15 countries are expected to participate in the tournament. The countries, who participated in previous tournaments held in Pakistan, including Azerbaijan, Italy, Hungry, Egypt, Mauritius, Russia, USA, Cuba, China will probably take part in this tournament as well.

Two teams from Pakistan will participate in the tournament, which will be organized in senior’s category. PBF will hold this tournament to give their boxers proper training and exposure at the international level.

PBF is of the view that by competing in more and more international events national pugilists will get required training for next year Olympics.

PBF will also hold one of the three legs of qualifying rounds for Athens Olympics. PBF has decided to participate in the qualifying tournament with large number of pugilists for best results having in mind the advantage of home ground.

PBF is striving to provide more and more chances to their boxer keeping in mind the Olympic medal. PBF chief vowed to acquire good results in Olympics and said that in the past the federation did not have enough funds.

But now the situation is different and federation can send two to three boxers at international tours, which would prepare national boxers to compete ably in the mega event.

The federation claimed that as boxing is poor men’s sport in the country that’s why the sport got step motherly treatment from the concerned departments.

But after a lot of hue and cry from the federation, government finally provided funds for training of pugilists. And according to the PBF chief they are vying to send the boxers on international tours to give them enough exposure before the mega event.

The keen efforts and planning from the federation did not prove abortive as Nauman Kareem claimed bronze medal in the recently held Cadet Championship at Bucharest.—PPI