PBF needs instant fiscal assistance

KARACHI: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is facing acute financial crises after holding Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship and the federation needs financial assistance from the government. This was stated by President PBF Doda Khan Bhutto.

Vice president of PBF Iqbal Hussain; General Secretary Muhammad Akram Khan; Chairman R/J Commission Ali Akber Shah Qadri and other officials were also presence on this occasion.

We have been given only Rs3.3 million to arrange the tournament while our expenditure was almost Rs7 million, he said, adding we are now looking forward whether the government would fulfill its promises it has made for the provision of the remaining amount or not.

President PBF also appreciated the role of media, saying “the tournament was given proper coverage by the media for which we are greatly thankful to all media outlets”.

He also paid thanks to Federal Minister for Sports Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Minister for Inter-provisional Coordination Pir Syed Aftab Shah Jilani and Secretary Sports Anis-ul-Hasnain for their cooperation in this regard.

However, he lamented that the City District Government and provisional government did not support the federation to successfully arrange the event. PBF president said our team will participate in South Asian Federation Games (SAF Games).

Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary PBF said SAF Games organisers have changed boxing categories — a decision that blocked ways for three of our heavy boxers namely Nisar Khan (75kg), Yasir Javed (91kg) and Mir Waiz Khan (91 plus) category to participate in the event.

Pakistan Boxing needs SOS financial assistance

Karachi: Pakistan Boxing Federation has face to acute financial crises after holding Shaheed Bhutto inter national boxing tournament and Federation need SOS emergency basis financial assistance from Pakistan government expressed president of Pakistan Boxing Federation in a press conference which was be held on Friday at Hotel Mehran Karachi

Vice president of PBF Mr. Iqbal Hussain, General Secretary Muhammad Akram Khan, Chairman R/J commission Ali Akber Shah Qadri and other officials were also presence on this occasion.

We were waiting for completing whole promises given us from the government of Pakistan and the Sindh provincial government Prime minister of Pakistan was given us only 3.3 million rupees and our tournament budget around 7 million rupees and while the rest of the money from any found

Media give us too much support during Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament and country get international reception from it, we greatly thankful to all media friends for encouraging cooperation


PBF want also pay thanks to federal sports minister Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, federal minister inter-provisional coordination Pir Syed Aftab Shah Jilani, and federal secretary
Sports Anis-ul-Hasnain, president POA lt. Gen. ® Arif Hassan, Police, Rangers, Traffic Police, federal interior Ministry and federal foregone ministry and we were getting a big success for own country.

But City District and provisional government don’t support us event any provisional, federal minister and local government City Nazim, Town Nazims and councilors was not visited there this is was very disappointed us we work for country and we don’t have personal agenda but rolling party of Benazir hurt us and they failed in national duty.

PBF president say our team will participate in South Asian Games and we have invitation for commonwealth boxing championship in March, King’s Cup International Boxing in Thailand and Asian games at China in November this year but we don’t decided till now for sending its team because financial problem’s if government its not resolve so our boxers will suffer in international arena.

General Secretary of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) say South Asian Games organizers suddenly has been changed boxing category and they has mad new six categories in 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg and 64 kg our three heavy boxers affected from this decision so Pakistan has been lost Nisar Khan (75kg), Yasir Javed (91kg) and Mir Waiz Khan in 91 plus category he was the gold medalist in last edition of south Asian games in Colombo 2006

He says we lodge strong protest in front of Organizers and Pakistan Olympic Association also now our preparation and medal hope may will affected now we has sent six fresh entries Nadir Baloch (48kg), Mohammad Waseem (51kg), Niamat Ullah (54kg), Abid Ali (57kg), Adnan Hussain (64kg) and Amir Khan (64kg)

Nadir Baloch and Adnan Hussain inter two new name in previous announced team and both showing good performance and won the silver medals in recently concluded Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament

PPP-led Sindh Govt ignores its leader's name event

KARACHI When the Pakistan Boxing Federation initiated the move to hold the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament it was confident that the PPP-led Sindh Government would not only make financial commitment towards the expenses but would also own the event because it was being held in the name twice prime minister and the leader of the PPP.
But to their disappointment and chagrin the Sindh Government showed no enthusiasm to support the event and remained aloof from all the activities related to the tournament in which as many as 24 foreign countries either sent the teams or the technical officials.
Young president of Pakistan Boxing Federation Doda Khan Bhutto related to the former prime minister had decided to initiate hosting of the tournament in order to create soft image of Pakistan and Pakistan sports which had suffered due to attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore last March. It was a move appreciated by all the sports officials of Pakistan who were praying that the event might be held successful without any incident.
It was important because it would help in improving the image of the country worldwide.
The PBF head did every thing possible to draw the attention of the provincial government but he or the federation did not get the warm response they were expecting.
The PBF approached the chief minister for an appointment three months ago but they did not get it until December 27 during the second death anniversary of the Benazir Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Bux when the chief minister found some time to meet a delegation of the PBF led by Doda Khan Bhutto.
The chief minister was pleasantly surprised when told that an international boxing tournament was being held in the name of the great national leader at Karachi. The provincial chief executive during the brief meeting asked the PBF officials that why was he not be informed about the event earlier. He probably did not know that the PBF was trying to contact him for the last three months.
The chief minister welcomed the initiative of the PBF for hosting the event in Karachi and promised that the provincial government would provide financial and other support for the event.
A fortnight has passed since that meeting in Garhi Khuda Bux but the promised financial support has still not reached the PBF which has to pay hotel and travel bills to the foreign teams that has started leaving after the successful conclusion of the tournament on Saturday night.
According to first estimates, the PBF needed close to Rs 60 million to organise the tournament which was allotted to the PBF on request. The federation approached the presidential secretariat and the prime ministers secretariat and the Sindh government for financial and other support.
Only the prime minister secretariat responded and released around Rs 23 million just when the foreign teams had started arriving in the city.
An organiser of the tournament on condition of anonymity said he and his other colleagues were surprised with the cold manner with which that the provincial government and particularly the PPP provincial minister had responded to the tournament.
The PBF had extended invitation to the ministers to come to the KPT sports complex on each of the eight days of the tournament but surprisingly no minister except the provincial sports minister Dr MA Shah showed up at the well guarded venue.
The Sindh sports ministry led by the coalition partner of the PPP in province coordinated with the PBF and provided support but there was no support from any other provincial ministry or the ministers added the organiser with a tinge of sadness.
He said after successfully holding the tournament, the PBF would be face to face with the hardest part of the event which was to settle the bills as the host. Hotel and travel bills had to be paid at the earliest and any delay would only bring poor name to the PBF and the provincial government which is led by PPP, he added.
He, however, expressed gratitude to the Federal sports minister Ejaz Hussain Jhakrani, Inter Provincial minister Pir Aftab Shah Jillani, POA president Gen Arif Hasan and Sindh sports minister Dr MA Shah for taking interest in the organisation of the event and visiting the opening and the closing ceremony of the tournament.
He was also thankful to the Sindh police and Sindh Rangers for providing good security to the teams, at tournament venue and the hotel during the course of the tournament.
He also thanked the FIA Immigration department for helping both the incoming and departing foreign teams. The Immigration authorities ignored minor mistakes in travel documents and facilitated both the arrival and departure of the teams. The team of Central African Republic was given special concessions when one of their boxers arrived here without adequate travel documents. Similarly, during departure both the Indian and Uzbekistan teams were accommodated at the airport to allow them to catch the flights in time.
Teams have started departing for home and four teams left here Saturday morning and more will leave by evening flights.

AIBA praised to PBF holding first big event in boxing world this year

Karachi: International Boxing Association (AIBA) had too much praise to Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) for holding Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament successfully it was a first big international event in boxing world this year.
President of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto, Vice president Mr. Iqbal Hussain, General Secretary Muhammad Akram Khan and other PBF officials grateful to AIBA president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu for these kind comments, they were expressed we hold this historical event with the help of AIBA and ASBC kind support and we have good hope such type cooperation from two parents bodies for the Boxing game improvement and betterment.
AIBA comments
“It was a great moment for international relations when Indian boxers took part in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Tournament in Karachi, Pakistan earlier this month, showing once again that boxing is not just for entertainment: it also brings people and countries together”

In a delightful contradiction, the Pakistani tournament showed that boxing as a combat sport can make a positive difference. For the first time since the Mumbai terrorist attacks in India in November 2008, an Indian sports team took part in an international event in Pakistan. "We have been cleared by the government to take part in the event," head coach Singh said, "and all the members of the squad are very happy to be here."

Other countries have had similar successes with boxing: For example, the relationship between Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina is good during boxing events despite the legacy of conflict. These countries have organized many tournaments and, in the ring, many of the former enemies have become friends and sporting opponents.

AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu said after inspiring Pakistan Indian gathering we going to the AIBA Youth World Championships coming up in Baku, Azerbaijan in April, the Armenian Boxing Federation sent an official letter addressed to AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu to ensure the safety of the Armenian athletes during the championships due to unresolved territorial issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan over an enclave called Nagorno-Karabakh in Southwestern Azerbaijan.

"If they want to take part in the event, then I do not see any problems," said Mr Agajan Abiyev, vice-president of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation. "This tournament will be the qualifying event for the Youth Olympic Games, so the desire of the Armenian side is clear to us."

Only boxing could accomplish such a treaty for sports between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Even when the International Football Association (FIFA) drew these two countries in the same qualification group, they could not organize the matches and both of them were cancelled. Despite the political situations of today, we hope that boxing and other sports will continue to bring athletes and fans together.

Host nation Pakistan competed with two teams in the event, which saw a total of 20 teams competing from China, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Syria, India, Hungary, Kenya, Iraq and Cameroon. Rising British-Pakistani star Amir Khan and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games bronze medalist Syed Hussain Shah were awarded honorary gold medals on behalf of the Pakistan Boxing Federation.

AIBA president expressed the tournament was the first-ever boxing event in Pakistan to offer prize money to boxers and teams and it’s highly appreciated for newly elected PBF body

Outside the ring, nine boxers, including Beijing Olympian welterweight boxer Joseph Mulema of Cameroon and eight other Cameroon and African boxers, embraced Islam, converting to the religion while in Karachi for the tournament.

Note: You can read AIBA comments also on its website and click below two links

http://www.aiba.org/en-US/news/ozqsp/newsId/2853/news.aspx
http://www.aiba.org/en-US/news/ozqsp/newsId/2841/news.aspx

Doda congratulated for holding mega event

KARACHI – Federal sports minister Aijaz Hussain Jhakrani and Inter provincial minister Pir Aftab Shah Jillani were among the host of high officials who praised the Pakistan Boxing Federation president Doda Khan Bhutto for successfully hosting the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto international boxing championship in Karachi recently.
In separate messages given personally on telephone or in writing, the officials congratulated the young president of the PBF and his officials for bringing good name to Pakistan by holding the 25-nation boxing event successfully.
Aijaz Hussain Jhakrani called the PBF head to congratulate him for creating a soft image of the country at a time when it needed it the most by hosting the event.
He said it could not have been done without the hard work and dedication of the PBF chief and his associates. The organisation would remain part of the national sports history, he added.
Federal Minister for Inter provisional coordination Pir Syed Aftab Shah Jillani said that holding the event was a huge achievement for the Pakistani nation.
President of Pakistan Olympic Association Arif Hassan, Secretary Abdul Khaliq Khan, Justice (Rtd) Khawaja Saeed Awan, Director General of Pakistan Sports Board Syed Amir Hamza Gillani and Secretary Sindh Olympic Association Ahmed Ali Rajput have also expressed same sentiments and added that it has only brought good name to Pakistan.
President of Balochistan Boxing and VP of PBF Faqir Hussain, Secretary Haji Khuday Raheem, Joint Secretary Liaquat Ali Durrani, Olympian Boxer Asghar Changezi have also congratulated the president of the PBF.

PBF plan another international Boxing Tournament in july

PPI

Karachi, Notwithstanding low performance from Pakistani pugilists in recently concluded Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament, Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has been widely acclaimed from all corners of the country for successfully holding of an international event.

The international sporting activities that has almost vacated the country, made a brilliant comeback in the form of eventful SBBIBT in which 24 nations participated. The only Pakistani Olympic medalist in boxing, Hussain Shah was called from Japan to attend the tournament. Hussain said that he appreciates PBF efforts for holding this event. Hussain won bronze medal in 1988 Seoul Olympics. Later, legendary boxing maestro Amir Khan, the UK based light welter weight world champion increased the glamour of the tournament by arriving here with his family to attend the closing ceremony of the tournament.

"There is a huge talent in Pakistan and I foresee boxing becoming a big sports here too under people like Doda Khan and Akram Khan," he said during his visit to the tournament. Moreover, nine African boxers revert to Islam during the tournament after getting inspired by the Muslims here. Pakistani boxers didn't really achieved some worthy milestone as they didn't even ended in top three teams of the event in spite two o its team featured in the event. China, Syria and Thailand reached the podium respectively occupying the positions.

Pakistan clinched only one gold medal out of eleven. Mohib Bacha was the gold medalist of the tournament for the hosts. The result shows that Pakistani boxers have to do a lot to make their impact felt in the international arena but regular of holding of such events would definitely uplift the game of boxing. "We organized this tournament only through our determinations and we had all the odds against us. However, we succeed to hold the international tournament and hopefully in future it would be
comparatively easier to hold such a tournament," PBF President Doda Khan Bhutto said.

"We are working for another international tournament in July after the success of this tournament. We have to start from scratch to hold an international event after the unfortunate and unpopular incident of deadly attack on Sri Lankan cricket team here in Pakistan last year. "Nobody was ready to come here and everybody here also doubted the holding of such an event. Many high-ups in government offices even ridiculed us. But by the grace of Allah we were successful in holding the tournament," PBF secretary Akram Khan said.

"It was a big event but unfortunately the people in the government failed to create hype of the tournament. They should have visited the tournament much often so that it could have gained more publicity," he added. He further said that the sponsors were reluctant to indulge with us because of lack of support from the government. "They also doubted that such an event could be held and therefore didn't come forward to sponsor us," Akram said. He further said that the same thing would not happen next time hopefully and they would be able to bring sponsors in for the tournament in July.

He said that international tournaments at home are very important for uplifting boxing in the country. "When the youth here see boxers playing and achieving glorious victories, they create a charm for the game in them. Moreover, more boxers could be featured in the events at home as we did during SBBIBT. They get exposure against international pugilists. If we had featured these 22 boxers in an international tournament somewhere else then they couldn't have achieved anything.

"Playing international tournaments away from home are also very important and infact are more valued but we could not groom boxers in abundance by only featuring in tournaments away from home. In the past PBF would sent only the same four or five top performing boxers to international events and Pakistan boxing would revolve around them. But when those boxers past their age, we had no other boxers on hand to be featured in international events. It was a big blow for boxing but now we are working almost from grass root level and hopefully would be able to achieve some worthy milestone soon," Akram said.

He said that tournaments like SBBIBT should regularly be held atleast twice a year for uplifting the level of local boxers and boxing as a whole in the country. ''The boxers' achievement in the tournament was good but not excellent. We had atleast won three golds. We still have to go along way.'' He further said that the SBBIBT tournament was not given popularity as it should have been given. "We should have been supported and commended from all sports circle as we succeeded in holding a sports event in which 24 nations participated. Exploiting the name of this tournament, other federations could also convince other nations to come and play here in Pakistan so that the sense of instability could be removed."

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing to go ahead on schedule ,Doda Bhutto

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing to go ahead on schedule

KARACHI, Dec. 29 (APP): A top official of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), Doda Khan Bhutto said on Tuesday that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship will go ahead despite suicide bomb blast here in the city on Monday.“Bomb blast is a big tragedy for the whole nation and we are mourning with all,” he told APP in an interview.He said he had contacted the Federal Interior Secretary in Islamabad and did get a security clearance from the Government.
PBF Chief said none of the countries who had reconfirmed their participation have sent any regret viz a viz thei participation in the championship following the suicide attack.

He said considering the current situation, the security in and around the team’s hotels and venue will be further beefed-up.
The 24-nation event is being staged at KPT’s Indoor Gymnasium from January 1 to 9.

He said 15 of the participating countries have also sent their travel itinerary.
Doda Khan said he also met President Asif Ali Zardari in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh during the second death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, who assured him all the financial assistance for holding the prestigious event.
He said, apart from the special grant from the Federal Government, Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qasim Ali Shah has also promised to provide special grant for the championship.
He said an estimated budget ranging in the tune of Rs. 70 to 80 million will be required for the event.

He informed that Federal Sports Ministry has sanctioned Rs.One million for the event, however, the money will be transferred in PBF accounts next month.
In the meantime, PBF Secretary Akram Khan said a 13-member Yemen squad including seven boxers and six officials has already arrived in Karachi.
Technical delegate of the event Nieva Embbuldinya of Sri Lanka also arrived here alongwith her husband on Sunday.

PBF Secretary said a 13-member Iraq contingent with eight boxers will be landing here late Tuesday night while a 7-member Uzbekistan team with four boxers and three officials will be landing here on Wednesday.
He said training arrangements for the pugilists have been in the team’s hotel.
He said despite some difficulties, the arrangements for holding the competition are in full swing.

He said a meeting of PBF officials with Sindh Sports Minister Dr.Muhammad Ali Shah will be held on Wednesday to discuss various issues related to holding of the championship in a befitting and smooth manner.