KARACHI, June 12: The Pakistan Amateur Boxing Federation (PABF) Wednesday announced a depleted four-member team for the Asian Championship from June 18 in Kuala Lumpur.

The squad has two Olympian boxers — featherweight Haider Ali, and light-welterweight Asghar Ali Shah, while the other two are middleweight Ahmad Ali Khan and heavyweight Shaukat Ali.

The PABF had to name a reduced team since they did not receive a positive response from Wapda who had promised to sponsor five of their pugilists.

“Wapda was to finance five boxers visit. But as the boxers are yet to get approval from their chairman, we have decided to drop the idea of including them as we can’t wait further,” a PABF spokesman said.

Previously, the PABF had planned to send a seven to nine-man contingent for the Kuala Lumpur contest. But a lukewarm response from Wapda forced the federation to select only four boxers.

The boxers will be accompanied by the Cuban coach Reinaldo Alvarez Ulicia, while the manager is expected to be appointed just before team’s departure.

The team leaves for the Malaysian capital late Monday night and returns on June 27, a day after the conclusion of the tournament.

The PABF secretary, Maj Abdul Rasheed (retd) has been appointed technical delegate, and joint secretary PABF Ali Akbar Shah will be the member jury for the nine-day event.

Meanwhile, the trio of Asghar, Ahmad and Shaukat will represent the country at the Manchester Commonwealth Games starting from July 25.

The PABF once again had to select only three boxers instead of five on the directives of the ministry of sports.