Francisco Hernandez Roldan -File photo

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is looking to reappoint the highly-rated Cuban coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan after the country’s pugilists failed to perform impressively at the recently held International Boxing Association (AIBA) World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The PBF suffered a major blow just ahead of the event after Haroon Khan, their biggest medal hope, was banned to vie for the country by AIBA on the pretext that he had boxed for England at the youth level. He was to represent the country in the 52kg category at Baku.

The 20-year-old lightweight, who is the younger brother of WBA and IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan, is appealing the ban with the hope that he can represent Pakistan at the 2012 Olympics. But the issue left Pakistan reeling ahead of the championship and things were not well for them in Baku.

The three boxers, who represented Pakistan at the event, remained unable to impress. Mohammad Waseem was knocked out at the last-32 stage along with Amir Khan. Waseem fought in the 49kg category while Amir contested in the 64kg category.

Mohammad Hussain, who competed in the 56kg, exited after his first bout.

The fact that none of the boxers made it to the quarter-finals means that Pakistan has not qualified for London 2012. However, they will have another chance to do so at the Asian championship that starts at Almaty, Kazakhstan in March next year.

But PBF Secretary General Akram Khan wants Roldan back as he led the team to the double bronze medal success at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games shortly before his contract expired. “We can hire the services of any foreign coach. But we’ll prefer Roldan because our pugilists performed well under him,” Akram said on Wednesday.

He added that the PBF had requested Mohammad Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, director general technical Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), to reappoint Roldan.

“We just want the PSB to reappoint him immediately. His contract only needs renewal.”—APP

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.