KARACHI, Oct 10: Pakistan boxing team missed World Cadet Championship which started on Monday in Liverpool because of denial of UK visas to three pugilists. Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) representative says that United Kingdom Deputy High Commission in Karachi refused visas to three pugilists – Mohammad Hussain, Qadir Khan and Riaz – saying evidence would be needed to establish that they are genuine boxers.

Akram Khan, secretary of Sindh Boxing Association (SBA), said PBF had applied for visas 10 days ago and UK Deputy High Commission returned the passports of boxers and officials on Friday.

“We got the passports at 12.00 in the afternoon on Friday. Only Sajjad of Pakistan Army was granted visa, while Hussain, Qadir and Riaz were denied. However, three officials including myself, coach Zaigham Maseel, and team manager Abid Hussain got the visas,” he said.

The official said PBF secretary Shakeel Durrani contacted the UK Deputy High Commission and told the staff that no further proof was needed since PBF had already furnished documents including Rs one million bond for each boxer submitted to Pakistan Sports Board.

“We knew that Deupty High Commission will be closed on Saturday and Sunday but Shakeel sent more documents to support the applications on Saturday but we did not receive any reply from the other side till today (Monday),” he claimed.

The official said PBF did not feel appropriate to send only one boxer, saying “only potential boxers could be sent on offshore tours.”

Interestingly, while the team failed to reach Liverpool, team manager Abid Hussain, a Punjab police official, left along with PBF chairman Anwar Chowdhry and Shakeel for Liverpool on Saturday.

Since Abid, who had been granted visa, is bearing his expenses while team failed to participate in the championship, PBF took the official by accommodating him as a member of International Boxing Association (AIBA) Business Commission.

Surprisingly, when asked why Abid left for England Akram denied, saying “he has not gone to Liverpool”, although a day earlier he had sent a PBF press release mentioning Abid left for the English city.

Interestingly, Akram was left in Karachi, although he had been granted visa and he was to officiate the bouts as referee/judge.