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

Benazir Bhutto boxing final photos from Dawn.com

Karachi: Images from the finals of the Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament held at the KPT Sports Complex, Karachi. -Photos by White Star/Tahir Jamal

Mohammad Waseem A member of the Pakistani boxing squad poses with British boxing champ Amir Khan. Khan was invited as a special guest for the finals of the event.

and other some pictures of final day

PBF needs strong administrator: Hussain

KARACHI: Pakistan’s only Olympic medallist Hussain Shah said while country needs a strong administrator to run the boxing affairs, he did not see a single personality who can lead the sport into right direction.
'The Pakistani boxers need exposure but they need to be controlled. For that purpose, we need a personality like Major (Abdul) Rasheed who was a strict disciplinarian. But frankly, I don’t see any personality who can match him,' the 1988 Seoul Olympic bronze medallist told Dawn.com on Monday.

While Pakistan won several medals under the former president of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Anwar Chowdhry, a sharp decline was seen after his ouster as International Boxing Association (AIBA) chief in 2006.


Chowdhry had been blamed by several foreign boxing officials for manipulating results at international events in favour of Pakistani boxers, using his influence as AIBA president.

Hussain, who has been specially invited as a guest by Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) for ongoing Benazir international boxing tournament, said the national boxers should be sent abroad for training tours.

'But they (the boxers) should be sent to places where they cannot indulge in negative activities. Russia, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian States are ideally place where fighters can train in isolation and don’t have time to go astray,' said the former middleweight.

Hussain, however, rejected the idea of sending boxers to Cuba, saying the environment in the country might lead them to get involved in other activities rather than focusing on their game.

'Cuba is not an ideal place for training. I can say this because of my personal experiences as a boxer in the past.'

Interestingly, Pakistan coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan always underscored the need to send the boxers to Cuba for training.

Hussain emphasised the need of having more tournaments at home for the promotion of sport in the country.

When asked whether international tournaments where rules were being violated blatantly would serve the purpose of promoting the game in Pakistan, the Olympian said tournaments at home could be the only way to popularise boxing.

'I must say more tournaments should be held and the boxers should be sent on training tours abroad. But one thing I must also say that the Pakistan boxers should avoid using drugs. I have heard and read reports about Pakistani boxers being caught for using drugs. These incidents bring bad name to the country, while they ruin boxer’s careers,' said Hussain.

Hussain, who has been living in Japan as professional boxing coach, said he had not received the two 80 square yards plots he was awarded after he won the Olympic bronze.

'I was awarded the plots after I won the bronze in 1988. I have submitted money but when I went to prepare the documents, I found that the lands had already been allotted to another person. I will really appreciate if the government takes action and helps me in acquiring the land.'

Olympian Hussain Shah for strong patronization of boxing in Pakistan

KARACHI, Jan 4 (APP): Pakistan’s boxing great Hussain Shah has called for strong patronization of fist-fighting in the country as it got good prospects for winning medals in Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, South Asian Games and other international competitions.“Pakistan got a lot of talent in boxing and with support from government and private sector they can bring laurels and honor to the country,” he told APP in an interview here on Monday on arrival from Tokyo (Japan) to witness the ongoing Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship.

Hussain Shah, who created history by becoming first Pakistani pugilists to grab the bronze medal in 1988 Olympics in Seoul (Korea), said boxing is the game of down trodden class and they needed support to perform at the national and international levels.

He complimented Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) for staging such a big international event in Pakistan which would help the country in promotion and development of sport.

He thanked PBF for inviting him as guest of honor for the championship. He said by holding such major event the game can be popularized and it created more opportunities for international exposure.

“I am now coaching professional boxers in Tokyo but if needed I will be available to serve Pakistan in any capacity when needed,” beaming Hussain Shah from Lyari said.

He said he owed everything to the country which gave him name and fame. “I owe everything to Almighty and Pakistan for what I achieved,” he added.

45-year-old Hussain Shah, who won the gold medal in 1987 Asian championship in 1987 also created record by winning five gold medals in a row in South Asian Games.

He said he would be holding peep talk with Pakistan boxers taking part in the championship and pass on the finer points of the game to them.

He expressed the hope that if proper steps are taken and concerted efforts are made Pakistan’s glorious past in boxing could be revived.