Pakistan boxing's Olympic hopefuls to leave for qualifying round on February 1st
Pakistan’s Olympics hopeful pugilists are expected to leave for China on February 1st to feature in the Asian and Oceania Qualifying round for this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Pakistan’s Olympics hopeful pugilists are expected to leave for China on February 1st to feature in the Asian and Oceania Qualifying round for this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The qualification bouts will be held in Wuhan from February 3-14.
About a dozen of national fighters are training at the Army Sports Complex, Rawalpindi, under the supervision of former Olympian and AIBA 3-star coach Arshad Hussain.
The PBF has not yet finalised the squad that will feature in the qualifying rounds, “Our plan is to send five or six boxers but it all depends on the financial assistance".
However, there is confidence that Pakistan will feature in the continental qualifiers. This event will be the first attempt for Olympic qualification by national boxers. They will also try their luck in May in the world qualifying round to be held in Paris.
Pakistan will have to choose among Mohammad Asif, Attaullah, Naqeebullah, South Asian Games gold medallist Niamatullah, Suleman Baloch, Sardar, Saiful Manan, Gul Zeb, Amir Khan, Mehmood-ul-Hasan and Sanaullah for the Wuhan event.
Coach Arshad said that he had been working hard with the boys with the available facilities. “I am trying my best to prepare the lot perfectly. The boys have gained better shape. I still have two weeks at my disposal during which I will try to work on their speed and skills,” Arshad said.
