KARACHI, July 16 The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is ambitious of hosting around eight to ten countries for joint training for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India from Oct 3-14.

“Such a joint training camp would prove very helpful for our pugilists in preparing them ahead of the Commonwealth Games, and also for the Asian Games later in the year. Around 25 of our pugilists would get a chance to see and learn from different players and coaches of the world,” PBF President Doda Khan Bhutto said.

“We have given the proposal to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Sports Ministry that we could invite around eight to ten teams for joint training in Pakistan instead of sending our players for a foreign tour for the same purpose, for which the expenses would rather be more than the former local event,” he explained.

He added that the officials of National Assembly's Standing Committee on Sports liked the idea and promised their all-out support for the event.

“The PSB also appreciated the idea and said that they would be looking into the viability of the proposed event seriously. However, they have not yet given us the green signal,” he said.

Doda further said the federations of around eight to ten countries are ready to send their pugilists for the training camp.

He said “If we sent our pugilists for a foreign trip for CWG preparations, it would cost them the same as it would cost them if they organise the training camp here in Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, PBF Secretary Akram Khan said the idea was highly applauded by the PSB and National Assembly's Standing Committee of Sports. “They said while others try to travel to foreign countries, the boxing officials try to bring foreign teams to Pakistan, when no one is ready to come here,” he said.

He said that boxing federations of Central Africa, Cameroon, Korea, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are ready to send their pugilists for joint training ahead of the Commonwealth Games. —Agencies