The Championship will be held despite the suicide bomb blast that rocked Karachi on Monday: Doda Bhutto. —File ph
The Championship will be held despite the suicide bomb blast that rocked Karachi on Monday: Doda Bhutto. —File photo
KARACHI Doda Khan Bhutto, president of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), said on Tuesday that the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship will be held despite the suicide bomb blast that rocked Karachi on Monday.

“[The Monday] bomb blast is a big tragedy for the whole nation; we are mourning with all,” Doda said in an interview.

He claimed he had contacted the federal interior secretary in Islamabad and did get a security clearance from the government, adding that none of the countries which had reconfirmed their participation have sent any regret aboutparticipating in the championship following Monday's blast.

Doda said the security in and around hotels for the participating teams and the venue will be further beefed up, stating 15 of the participating countries have also sent their travel itinerary.

Doda said he also met President Asif Ali Zardari who assured him of all the financial assistance for holding the prestigious event.—APP

Our Sports Reporter adds from Lahore

Meanwhile, the Yemen squad is the first one to have arrived in Pakistan to take part in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Boxing event.

The squad comprises 13 members including seven boxers and six officials.

Some technical officials including Nieva Embuldeniya from Sri Lanka as an additional EC member-AIBA and international technical official (ITO) Herbert Embuldeniya (Sri Lanka) have also arrived.

Meanwhile, a PBF official said that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has released a grant of Rs20.3 million for the tournament.

Squad Fahmi Ali (48kg), Ahmed Ahmed (51kg), Nassir Salem (54kg), Bdr Al Kendi (57kg), Rfaat Mohsen (60kg), Ali Mohammed (64kg) and Helmi Hussein (69kg).

Officials Nardo Flores (coach), Mamoon Salmen (assistant coach), Shawki Al Boucari (team manager), Mohamed Al-Harazi (referee/judge), Ali Al Tamimi and Fahad Radman.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...