Thursday, August 27, 2009
By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: A seven-member Pakistan boxing squad - five boxers and two officials - will fly out from here for Italy tomorrow (Friday) to feature in the AIBA World Boxing Championships to be held in Milan from September 1 to 12.
The 29-year old Asian gold medallist Mehrullah Lassi will make his international comeback after a lapse of three years when he will enter the ring in the high-profile 12-day event in which the world class boxers from around 100 countries will show their worth.
Mehrullah was slapped with a life ban by the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) in 2006 along with his teammate Faisal Karim after both were tested positive for using cannabis at Colombo's South Asian Games.
The organisers of the South Asian Games had recommended a six-month suspension but the PBF had surprisingly imposed a life ban on him. However, it was later converted into two-year suspension as per International Boxing Association (AIBA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules and it was in August last year when the ban expired and Mehrullah participated in the national ranking championship here in Karachi early this year.
He also underwent tough training sessions with the Pakistani boxers in South Korea and Istanbul recently which helped him regain his rhythm. Muhammad Wasim, who won bronze medals in 51kg in the Kings Cup in Bangkok and Ahmet Comert Boxing tournament in Istanbul early this year, is also a part of the squad.
Though the coach of the visiting side Arshad Hussain does not expect any breakthrough from the Pakistani pugilists in Milan but he has full faith in his boys' ability that they will put up their best effort.
"Though it's a high profile event and we cannot expect any breakthrough from our boys but I am hopeful that they would fight bravely and according to their potential," Arshad, a former international, said.
About Mehrullah, Arshad said, "He is fit but you know he has made a comeback after three years and therefore will take some time to catch his top form but he is an experienced man and is capable to offer good resistance."
The coach is looking for the South Asian Games and deems the World Championships in Italy as a good opportunity for the Pakistani boxers to learn from.
"Basically we are working to form a fighting lot for the next year's Dhaka South Asian Games and the World Championships in Milan will be more helpful for the boys to learn and prepare for that event," the coach said.
The President of the PBF Doda Khan Bhutto and Secretary Muhammad Akram Khan are also accompanying the squad. Bhutto will meet AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu on August 30 while Akram Khan will attend AIBA Referees/Judges Commission Congress meeting.
Pakistani boxers were also expected to take part in the sparring sessions specifically arranged for the low-profile countries from August 26 to 29 in Milan, but now they would not be able to do so due to their late departure.
Squad: Rashid Fateh (48 kg), Muhammad Wasim (51kg), Mehrullah Lassi (57kg), Mohammad Aamir Khan (64kg) and Nisar Khan (75kg), Muhammad Arshad Hussain (coach), Farooq Ahmed (manager).
By Alam Zeb Safi
KARACHI: A seven-member Pakistan boxing squad - five boxers and two officials - will fly out from here for Italy tomorrow (Friday) to feature in the AIBA World Boxing Championships to be held in Milan from September 1 to 12.
The 29-year old Asian gold medallist Mehrullah Lassi will make his international comeback after a lapse of three years when he will enter the ring in the high-profile 12-day event in which the world class boxers from around 100 countries will show their worth.
Mehrullah was slapped with a life ban by the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) in 2006 along with his teammate Faisal Karim after both were tested positive for using cannabis at Colombo's South Asian Games.
The organisers of the South Asian Games had recommended a six-month suspension but the PBF had surprisingly imposed a life ban on him. However, it was later converted into two-year suspension as per International Boxing Association (AIBA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules and it was in August last year when the ban expired and Mehrullah participated in the national ranking championship here in Karachi early this year.
He also underwent tough training sessions with the Pakistani boxers in South Korea and Istanbul recently which helped him regain his rhythm. Muhammad Wasim, who won bronze medals in 51kg in the Kings Cup in Bangkok and Ahmet Comert Boxing tournament in Istanbul early this year, is also a part of the squad.
Though the coach of the visiting side Arshad Hussain does not expect any breakthrough from the Pakistani pugilists in Milan but he has full faith in his boys' ability that they will put up their best effort.
"Though it's a high profile event and we cannot expect any breakthrough from our boys but I am hopeful that they would fight bravely and according to their potential," Arshad, a former international, said.
About Mehrullah, Arshad said, "He is fit but you know he has made a comeback after three years and therefore will take some time to catch his top form but he is an experienced man and is capable to offer good resistance."
The coach is looking for the South Asian Games and deems the World Championships in Italy as a good opportunity for the Pakistani boxers to learn from.
"Basically we are working to form a fighting lot for the next year's Dhaka South Asian Games and the World Championships in Milan will be more helpful for the boys to learn and prepare for that event," the coach said.
The President of the PBF Doda Khan Bhutto and Secretary Muhammad Akram Khan are also accompanying the squad. Bhutto will meet AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu on August 30 while Akram Khan will attend AIBA Referees/Judges Commission Congress meeting.
Pakistani boxers were also expected to take part in the sparring sessions specifically arranged for the low-profile countries from August 26 to 29 in Milan, but now they would not be able to do so due to their late departure.
Squad: Rashid Fateh (48 kg), Muhammad Wasim (51kg), Mehrullah Lassi (57kg), Mohammad Aamir Khan (64kg) and Nisar Khan (75kg), Muhammad Arshad Hussain (coach), Farooq Ahmed (manager).
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