KARACHI: A top official of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) on Wednesday rubbished the reports in the Indian media that Pakistan had not informed the organising committee of the Commonwealth Boxing Championship about their participation or withdrawal from the competition starting in New Delhi from Friday (tomorrow).
“We have informed the joint secretary of the Indian Boxing Federation, who is also heading the committee of the technical officials of the event, that Pakistan is not participating in the competition due to certain problems,” the PBF secretary Muhammad Akram Khan told ‘The News’ on Wednesday.
He said that Pakistan skipped the Delhi event because the team did not get a proper camp for practice.
“We had informed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that boxing camp should not be stopped as Pakistan would have to feature in a number of international events this year also including the Commonwealth Boxing Championships.
But the camp was closed on February 2 because of the South Asian Games and it took a lot of time in resumption and it was ultimately started on March 1 here,” he said.
“How can we field our boxers without proper preparations for the tough event in India,” Akram said.
Indian Media was claimed Pakistan has joined Australia, Canada and Ghana in pulling out of the fifth Commonwealth Boxing Championships starting here March 12. Pakistan, which was to send a full-fledged 10-member team for the event, could not get the requisite clearance to travel to India from the country''s interior ministry.
"Pakistan is not coming, they didn''t get the government clearance," an Indian Boxing Federation official said. Earlier, Australia and Canada had pulled out of the championships citing previous commitments, while Ghana backed out at the 11th hour on Monday.
With these pullouts, the size of the field has come down to 17 countries with defending champions England, Canada, Mauritius boasting of strong teams. India, featuring Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75kg) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar, will be a favourite at the event.
“We have informed the joint secretary of the Indian Boxing Federation, who is also heading the committee of the technical officials of the event, that Pakistan is not participating in the competition due to certain problems,” the PBF secretary Muhammad Akram Khan told ‘The News’ on Wednesday.
He said that Pakistan skipped the Delhi event because the team did not get a proper camp for practice.
“We had informed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that boxing camp should not be stopped as Pakistan would have to feature in a number of international events this year also including the Commonwealth Boxing Championships.
But the camp was closed on February 2 because of the South Asian Games and it took a lot of time in resumption and it was ultimately started on March 1 here,” he said.
“How can we field our boxers without proper preparations for the tough event in India,” Akram said.
Indian Media was claimed Pakistan has joined Australia, Canada and Ghana in pulling out of the fifth Commonwealth Boxing Championships starting here March 12. Pakistan, which was to send a full-fledged 10-member team for the event, could not get the requisite clearance to travel to India from the country''s interior ministry.
"Pakistan is not coming, they didn''t get the government clearance," an Indian Boxing Federation official said. Earlier, Australia and Canada had pulled out of the championships citing previous commitments, while Ghana backed out at the 11th hour on Monday.
With these pullouts, the size of the field has come down to 17 countries with defending champions England, Canada, Mauritius boasting of strong teams. India, featuring Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75kg) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar, will be a favourite at the event.
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