Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship to begin today

International Sports will return to Pakistan on Saturday with the hosting of inaugural Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship which is going to explode into action at KPT Sports Complex Gymnasium from Saturday. Over 100 pugilists from leading countries from Africa, Asia and Hungary and from Europe will be taking part in the week-long fist-fighting gala.

Teams from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Yemen and two teams from hosts - Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Whites are featuring in the event. Chief of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will formally inaugurate the championship named after former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. “The holding of the event is a major big breakthrough for Pakistan Sports,” he said. PBF took the initiative and its going to reality on Saturday,” he commented. Doda Khan thanked the Indian Boxing Federation for sending the team to Pakistan. He also thanked the PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for releasing a grant of Rs.20.3 million. Almost all the countries have arrived for the championship and an interesting contests are on the cards and big boost for Pakistan Sports. This is the first international sporting event in Pakistan after attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore on March 3, 2009.

The event will serve as the build-up and exposure for 22-member boxing contingent to show their skill, talent and potential in front of their boxing-loving home crowd particularly in Lyari area. The hosting of the championship will help in selecting the best possible Pakistan combination for the XI South Asian Games being held in Dhaka from January 29 and for Commonwealth Boxing Championship schedule to be held in New Delhi in March 2010. The event will show how much progress Pakistan boxers have made under their new Cuban Coach Francisco Hernendez Ronald. The medical and weighing of the boxers will be held at team’s hotel between 8 to 10.a.m. and draw will be taken out at 10.30 a.m.