KARACHI: Asian gold medallist Mehrullah Lassi has been included in the 12-man Pakistan’s boxing squad which is scheduled to visit South Korea early next month for two months training and competitions.
Mehrullah, from whom the life ban was lifted in August last year, has been given an opportunity to go with his fellow boxers to South Korea for training so that he could be made able to once again fight for Pakistan at the top level international competitions.
“After thorough discussion amongst the coaches and other top officials of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), finally it was decided that Mehrullah, who has rendered great services for Pakistan, should be given a chance to prepare for a possible comeback to the international arena, the PBF secretary Akram Khan told ‘The News’ on Sunday.
Lyari-born Mehrullah, who had claimed gold medal for Pakistan in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, had appeared in the National Ranking Boxing Championship early this year here at Karachi but could not fight in the quarter-final because of fitness problems. But the PBF secretary said that the talented man looks quite fit now.
“Mehrullah is fitter and if he impressed the coaches with his improvement in South Korea during training he will surely be given a chance in the Asian Boxing Championship to be held in China at the end of June,” Akram said.
He said that the PBF has got an NOC from the government for the South Korea’s trip, saying the government has also agreed to release the federation a handsome fund of 6.4 million rupees and the schedule will also be finalised soon.
Boxers to visit South Korea: Rashid Fateh, Nadir Baloch (both 48kg), Muhammad Wasim (51kg), Muhammad Hussain, Ali Muhammad (both 54kg), Mehrullah Lassi, Qadir Khan (57kg), Tariq Zia (60kg), Arshad Hussain (64kg), Nadir Khan, Dur Muhammad (69kg), Nisar Khan (75kg).
Mehrullah, from whom the life ban was lifted in August last year, has been given an opportunity to go with his fellow boxers to South Korea for training so that he could be made able to once again fight for Pakistan at the top level international competitions.
“After thorough discussion amongst the coaches and other top officials of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), finally it was decided that Mehrullah, who has rendered great services for Pakistan, should be given a chance to prepare for a possible comeback to the international arena, the PBF secretary Akram Khan told ‘The News’ on Sunday.
Lyari-born Mehrullah, who had claimed gold medal for Pakistan in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, had appeared in the National Ranking Boxing Championship early this year here at Karachi but could not fight in the quarter-final because of fitness problems. But the PBF secretary said that the talented man looks quite fit now.
“Mehrullah is fitter and if he impressed the coaches with his improvement in South Korea during training he will surely be given a chance in the Asian Boxing Championship to be held in China at the end of June,” Akram said.
He said that the PBF has got an NOC from the government for the South Korea’s trip, saying the government has also agreed to release the federation a handsome fund of 6.4 million rupees and the schedule will also be finalised soon.
Boxers to visit South Korea: Rashid Fateh, Nadir Baloch (both 48kg), Muhammad Wasim (51kg), Muhammad Hussain, Ali Muhammad (both 54kg), Mehrullah Lassi, Qadir Khan (57kg), Tariq Zia (60kg), Arshad Hussain (64kg), Nadir Khan, Dur Muhammad (69kg), Nisar Khan (75kg).
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