Pakistan’s boxing squad will depart for Italy from Karachi on February 29 to compete in the World Qualifying Round for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which commence on March 3. Nasir Tung, a senior official of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), told The News that they were informed their visas will be provided on February 28.
“Yes, Schengen visas have been verified, and we will receive them on February 28. For February 29, we have reserved seats for Italy. “The team will travel to Milan via Abu Dhabi,” Nasir explained.
According to Nasir, five boxers from Pakistan will compete in the qualifying round, and Laura, who lives in London, will join the group in Italy. Pakistani boxers to depart for Italy on 29th
Pakistan’s boxing squad will depart for Italy from Karachi on February 29 to compete in the World Qualifying Round for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which commence on March 3. Nasir Tung, a senior official of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), told The News that they were informed their visas will be provided on February 28.
“Yes, Schengen visas have been verified, and we will receive them on February 28. For February 29, we have reserved seats for Italy. “The team will travel to Milan via Abu Dhabi,” Nasir explained.
According to Nasir, five boxers from Pakistan will compete in the qualifying round, and Laura, who lives in London, will join the group in Italy. We did all we could by organizing a camp in Lahore. You are aware that an overseas tour was required, but it was not feasible owing to budgetary constraints. But I’m still hoping that Zohaib would try his best. He is in good form and will deliver, inshaAllah, Nasir added.
He admitted that it would be an expensive tour. Look, Rs467,000 is just for one ticket per person, and the lodging is 1660 Euros per person, according to Nasir.
When asked why the other experienced coach, Tariq Siddiqui, was not given an opportunity to accompany the group, Nasir responded, “We wanted to send him, but the embassy told us that four boxers and one official Arshad should come and get their visas” Nasir spoke. Nasir stated that Tariq will be transported with the squad to Bangkok, which would hold the second World Qualifying round in May.
Tariq stated unequivocally that we will employ him at the next event. National boxers trained here at the Railways Sports Complex for more than two months.
Last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games served as qualifiers for the Paris Olympics, but national fighters were unable to proceed past the quarterfinals. Zohaib was eliminated in the quarterfinals, while the other players did not do well.
Pakistan coach Arshad Hussain told The News on Saturday that the boxers had departed for Karachi a few hours earlier and will practice at the Pakistan Navy Training Centre in Karsaz. “Yes, they departed today for Karachi, and I will join them at there. February 29, since I will depart from Islamabad for Karachi on February 28 after collecting all passports from the Italian consulate,” he stated.
Pakistan has announced a five-person squad for the forthcoming 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Busto Arsizio, Italy, beginning February 29.
Pakistan has only won one Olympic boxing medal, in 1988, and no fighters from the country have qualified for the games since 2004. The Pakistan Boxing Federation’s administration initiated many efforts to bring boxing back to the forefront and qualify at least one boxer for the Games.
Mr. Nasir Tung, the ITO and Secretary General of the Pakistan Boxing Team, will serve as team manager at Busto Arsizio.
Two female boxers have been picked to compete in the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Italy. Fatima Zahra, one of Pakistan’s strongest female boxers, will fight in the women’s featherweight (57kg) category in Italy.
Laura Akram now lives and trains in England, but she has returned to her family’s roots and will be competing for Pakistan for the first time. The lightweight (60kg) boxer has won several events in England and Sweden, and she hopes to compete in the Olympics.
Zohaib Rasheed won bronze medals in the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships and the ASBC Asian U22 Boxing Championships both in 2022. The 24-year-old boxer fights at the flyweight (51kg) division and has the highest potential for Pakistan in the forthcoming World Qualifier.
Muhammad Ibrahim is an Army boxer who won gold at the recent National Games and also competed for Pakistan in the Asian Games. The light welterweight (63.5kg) fighter was given a second chance to participate in a qualifying event.
Azhar Ali of the Pakistan Army won the National Games and Championships in 2023, and decision makers chose him for the first time to fight in a big boxing tournament. The super heavyweight (+92kg) fighter will make his international debut at Busto Arsizio, although he possesses impressive physical abilities.
