PBF under financial crunch in aftermath of BB tourney

KARACHI: The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is reeling under financial crunch as it is yet to receive a major chunk of the monetary assistance promised by the government and corporate sector for the conduction of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament, which was held here earlier this month.

“Our total cost over the tournament was over Rs60 to 70 million. We were expecting Rs40 million from the federal government and Rs 30 million from the corporate sector. But so far we have received only Rs20.3 million from the Prime Minister.

The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had promised to extend financial support but so far we have received no response from him in spite of repeated attempts,” said president of the PBF Doda Khan Bhutto during a press conference here on Friday.

Also present on the occasion were the secretary of the PBF Muhammad Akram Khan and the vice-president Iqbal Hussain.

He said that he is also thankful to the president of the NWFP Boxing Association Waqar Maroof who has helped the federation by giving it Rs50,000.

“The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had also promised one million rupees and though the Board has not released it as yet but we are hopeful that it will do so within few days,” the president said.

“We had to bear the burden by paying the mighty bills from our own pockets as the PBF had nothing in its kitty. Financially, the federation is in serious trouble and we appeal to the federal government, Sindh government, President of Pakistan and City District Government Karachi (CDKG) that they should extend their financial assistance and the summary which have been sent by the Sindh Sports Minister Dr Muhammad Ali Shah to the Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah should be approved, so that the grant could be released on emergency basis,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the PBF Akram Khan said that the PBF have recorded protest to the organising committee of the South Asian Games for the unreasonable reshuffling in the weight categories by removing 75kg, 91kg and 91kg plus from the list while inducting 48kg and 60kg, restricting the competitions in the eight-nation event to six instead of the earlier seven.

He said the removal of heavy weights is a big blow for Pakistan as the country had a great chance to grab a few gold medals in these weights.

He has also informed the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that the new sudden changes in the weight categories could minimise Pakistan’s medals chances in the SAG which would be held from January 29 to February 9 in Bangladesh.

In the end, on behalf of the PBF he thanked media, police, traffic police, Rangers, Interior Ministry, Exterior Ministry, the POA chief, the federal sports minister, the federal minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, the federal secretary sports etc for giving their support in the smooth conduction of the event.

Ambreen Sadiq the first Muslim female boxer in the country

Fifteen-year-old Ambreen Sadiq is the first Muslim female boxer in the country. Supported by her singularly dedicated coach and a close, vibrant family, this First Cut film follows Ambreen's preparations for the rematch of her championship bout against rival boxer Bobbi Clarke.

Few girls, let alone Muslim girls, can expect to be encouraged to pick up a pair of boxing gloves and go out fighting.

But Ambreen Sadiq, a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Bradford, has overcome opposition in her community to win her latest fight and aim for the 2016 Olympics.

Hailed tonight as a “pioneer” by the Amateur Boxing Association, Ambreen has already won the national female championship for her age and weight.

She has overcome opposition from her community to be nominated as junior sports personality of the year at the British Asian Sports Awards.
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In the ring, she transforms from shy Muslim in traditional dress to a rapid-fire fighting machine in shorts, vest and ponytail.

Few Muslim women go into boxing, although one exception is Laila Ali, Mohammed Ali’s daughter, a professional boxer who now hosts American Gladiators.

A Channel 4 documentary tomorrow night shows Ambreen, trained by coach Naz Jalil of Eastburn boxing club, defeat Leigh Park’s Bobbie Clark.

According to one report of the match, Ambreen, who is known as “Beeno”, “dominated her southpaw opponent from the off, catching her with numerous combination shots to go 9-2 up after the first round.”

The Bradford Telegraph and Argus reported: “She continued to pressure Clark, who had no option but to come forward to win some points of her own but each time was met with a barrage of punches, leaving the score 14-3 after round two.

“The third round was Sadiq’s best. Her skills saw her slip Clarke’s punches, making her miss wildly.

“On one occasion, she slipped under a big right, turned Clark and delivered three big shots which forced the referee to give an eight count as the Eastburn girl triumphed 20-5.”

Ambreen has already attended one training session with the England squad.

Her father, Shokit Ali Sadiq, who has encouraged her since childhood, said he had predicted since she was a baby that she would become a boxer. “Nobody would believe me.”

Ambreen said: “I know you should not show your arms and legs off but I am not doing it so I can show my arms and legs off to the whole world. I am doing it so I can enjoy boxing. It is what I want.”

The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We would not take a position against this.” He said some Muslim scholars did, however, regard boxing in general as “inhumane”.

Ayesha Abdeen, vice-chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation, said: “We believe that women should have an opportunity to take part in sport and keep fit and healthy. A Muslim woman boxer I would say is quite rare.”

Martin Utley, regional coach for the Amateur Boxing Association, said she was one of the top female boxers in Britain: “There are other Muslim girl boxers but not at this competitive level. She is pioneering as far as Muslim girls are concerned in boxing.”