KARACHI: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is looking forward to organize the 2nd edition of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament with an expected participation of more than 30 countries in the month of May this year.

It will be even a better event than the inaugural edition this time as many more countries are expected to compete.

“Last year, many countries had security concerns but now in the backdrop of the successful inaugural edition, those fears have been allayed in the international boxing community,” PBF Secretary Muhammad Akram told PPI.

However, he added that they are yet to receive a green signal from the government authorities to start the preparations for the event which expects to host more than 100 boxers.

“We are very optimistic that we would be allowed to organize the tournament and we expect that the government authorities would give their response by the end of January,” he added

“In February we would attend ASBC (Asian Boxing Confederation) elections to be held in Almaty (Kazakhstan) and there, we would invite all the Asian members and later we would also invite other countries of Europe and Africa.”

He further said that the mega event would be organized at National Coaching Centre’s Boxing Stadium, which has large capacity for spectators.

PREPARING FOR THE OLYMPICS

The PBF has planned 14 international competitions this year before September’s World Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan that will serve as the first qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics.

“We want to maximize international exposure and want to ensure that we get as many berths as possible for the Olympics.”