By Alam Zeb Safi
Karachi: If sincere efforts are put in, victory never eludes one's grasp. After the Lankan cricket team came under attack in Lahore early last year, foreign teams were reluctant to visit Pakistan due to security concerns. Several influential persons in the sports circles tried to conduct international events in the terror-hit country after that big mishap in the capital of Punjab, their efforts proved futile.
Finally, the young aspiring president of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto and secretary Muhammad Akram Khan stepped in to make a minor miracle. And they managed to do so by organising the recently concluded Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament in which the pugilists from 20 countries from Asia, Europe and Africa showed their worth.
More interestingly, the PBF president made strenuous efforts to convince the more stubborn India to send its boxers and the neighbouring country responded positively by sending three boxers, a praiseworthy decision which added to the charm of the competitions which ran from January 2-8 at the KPT Benazir Sports Complex in Karachi.
Before the arrival of the teams, people, even the Sindh government dignitaries, were of the view that a maximum two or three teams would come for the event. An attack on the Ashura procession in the provincial metropolis made things doubtful. However, no country pulled out of the extravaganza and made the show successful. Though the Prime Minister and the President of Pakistan did not grace the opening and closing ceremonies, most probably due to security reasons, the federal sports minister and the federal minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination were present at both the occasions.
But the main achievement which made the organisers proud was when, on their invitation, light welterweight World champion Amir Khan arrived with his parents and uncle Tahir Mehmood to witness the final day's proceedings. The 22-year old British-Pakistani inspired everyone with his character. He met all the people irrespective of his stature, had pictures taken with them and gave autographs in such a polite manner which our proud cricketers should also learn.
He also showed his resolve to help Pakistani boxers in future and even promised to train the pugilists in his gym in England.
The presence of 1988 Seoul Olympic bronze medallist Syed Hussain Shah, who was also invited by the PBF, lifted the morale of the organisers. Hussain Shah is settled in Japan with his family where he also trains boxing professionals.
China, who had sent seven boxers, lifted the title by securing four golds, one silver and two bronze medals. They were followed by Syria with two gold and two silver medals. Thailand also got two golds while one gold medal each went to Mongolia, Cameroon and Pakistan. Along with the single gold which the hosts clinched through Mohib Bacha when he defeated his fellow boxer Nadir Baloch in the 48kg final, Pakistan, who had fielded 22 boxers, also claimed three silver and eight bronze medals and around Rs6.5m were given away as cash prizes.
The performance of Pakistan boxers, however, was not satisfactory. Though, 12 of the 22 managed to reach the semifinals, it shocked many when eight of them lost their semifinals bouts in the competitions in which the foreign countries had not even fielded their top boxers.
Pakistan are ahead a tough assignment in the shape of the South Asian Games slated to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 29 to February 9 and Cuban coach Francisco Roldan will have to work hard to improve the techniques of his boxers as Pakistan will face tough opposition from India; which has shown marked improvement in the field these days at international level.
The most talented boxer, Muhammad Waseem (51kg) will lead the team with Niamatullah (54kg), Abid Ali (57kg), Aamir Khan (64kg), Nisar Khan (75kg), Yasir Javed (91kg) and Mir Waiz (91kg plus) as its other members.
Let's also put a cursory glance on the event in general. From an Islamic point of view, the tournament will also be remembered for long as nine foreign boxers, six from Central Africa and three from Cameroon, embraced Islam during a special ceremony here at a local hotel. Mohtamim of Jamia Binoria International Mufti Muhammad Naeem recited Kalima to the young boxers who entered into the fold of Muslim Ummah after being impressed by the behaviour of the Muslim community in general. As far as security arrangements for the event were concerned, so I would say that these did not meet the needs of the tournament. It was a high-profile event in risky environment and it should have been conducted in the style of security which is normally provided to the cricket teams.
The teams' escorting process was fairly good but this correspondent saw that the Sports Complex where the bouts were conducted was not properly sealed. Though there were security personnel deployed around the main building and the traffic was also diverted from that road passing by the main venue but no heavy blockades were erected there and the main complex could have been hit easily by miscreants. In the end, the news might have irked the officials of the PBF that one kilogramme bomb was found under the ring before the start of the final day's proceedings. But there was no reality in the news item and it might have been a conspiracy to sabotage the bold effort of the organisers as why the nut-bolts and other things which the bomb disposal squad claimed to have found under the ring were not shown to the Sports Manager of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and the SHO responsible for security of the complex.
The event ended safely and I hope better arrangements would be done in future. For the local fans, the final day was frustrating as even those people were not allowed to enter the venue, who were issued special invitations cards.
Moreover, the functions during the competitions were marred by an unprofessional announcer, one of the PBF officials, who had no knack to hold the attention of the people.
In spite of the few drawbacks, the tournament was a big success and the effort should be appreciated. The event opened the doors for other international competitions. The teams, which stayed here during all these days, were all praise for the hospitality they were given and the way they were treated. All of them, including the Indians, wished to visit again and again. The PBF also showed its determination to make the spectacle a regular annual feature. This was for the first time that such a huge boxing extravaganza was hosted by Pakistan and that, too, in vulnerable environment, which is a huge success.
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