“I told the federation I won't practice in this wet place. But that is not the way out. Our pugilists need continuous training and any gap would not serve our purpose for the mega international events that are coming up.” -Photo by White Star
KARACHI Pakistan's boxing coach, Cubas Francisco Hernandez Roldan, was left frustrated with the affairs of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) as water from the monsoon rains poured into the training area provided to him at the PSB Karachi Centre and eventually suspended practice.

 

“It is very difficult to practice here and it is also very dangerous for our boxers to play here in the slippery conditions. We work so hard on our boxers, spend so much time on them and if they get injured by something so unrelated to boxing then it would be highly frustrating for the boxer and for the training staff,” Hernandez said.

 

He further said that the people responsible for the smooth running of such affairs were incompetent and were causing a huge wastage of money through their actions.

 

“I told the federation I won't practice in this wet place. But that is not the way out. Our pugilists need continuous training and any gap would not serve our purpose for the mega international events that are coming up,” he added.

 

Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) secretary Akram Khan said that they have told PSB Centre officials about the problem but they haven't deputed any staff for removing the water from the area.

 

Chairman National Assembly's Standing Committee on Sports Iqbal Mohammad Ali Khan also criticized officials of PSB Karachi Centre for their negligence.

 

“It is their duty to look after the center properly, especially when a national training camp is underway. The government spends so much money on national camps but due to negligence of a few people funds and efforts of others get wasted,” he said.

 

He added that if players are not provided with proper infrastructure then it is unjust to expect medals from them.

 

“Yesterday, when I visited the camp, it was submerged in the rain water while water was also dripping from the ceilings. It was a shame that the boys were practicing in such conditions. This is not fair with the players. We criticize them when they fail to win medals but we don't even care to know what the reasons behind their failure were. I feel these problems are the main factors which differentiate our players from their international counterparts,” said the annoyed chairman. -PPI

Opinion

Editorial

Battling hate
Updated 15 Mar, 2026

Battling hate

In the current scenario, geopolitical conflict, racial prejudice and religious bigotry all contribute to the threats Muslims face.
TB drugs shortage
15 Mar, 2026

TB drugs shortage

‘CRIMINAL negligence’ is the phrase that jumps to mind when one considers the disturbing consequences of the...
Chinese diplomacy
Updated 14 Mar, 2026

Chinese diplomacy

THERE are signs that China is taking a more active role in trying to resolve the issue of cross-border terrorism...
Fragile gains at risk
14 Mar, 2026

Fragile gains at risk

PAKISTAN is confronting an external shock stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran that few of the other affected...
Kidney disease
14 Mar, 2026

Kidney disease

ON World Kidney Day this past Thursday, the Pakistan Medical Association raised the alarm on Pakistan’s...
Delicate balance
Updated 13 Mar, 2026

Delicate balance

PAKISTAN has to maintain a delicate balance where the geopolitics of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran are...