KARACHI, May 6: While Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) gave participants of third Olympic qualifying tournament due respect, its treatment to Pakistani boxers was open to criticism.

Five Pakistani pugilists taking part in the qualifier are lodged at training camp PNS Karsaz, while the foreign contestants are staying at a four-star hotel. It was not the first time that PBF has shown discrimination between foreigners and its own boxers.

Pakistan boxers were lodged at National Sports Training and Coaching Centre during Green Hill Cup last October, while the foreign teams stayed at a four-star hotel.

It would not be out of context to mention that PBF has been given Rs10million from the government and Rs5million from the Islamabad's SAF Games organizers for preparation of the boxers for August's Athens Olympics.