ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Boxing Federation is planning to field professional pugilist Muhammad Waseem in the World Boxing Championships with an aim to earn a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, a PBF official said on Wednesday.

“We are in talks with Waseem. He has shown interest to fight at the World Championships. Hopefully, he will soon make an announcement for that,” PBF secretary retired Col Nasir Tung told APP.

The 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships are scheduled to be held in Belgrade, Serbia early next year.

“These Championships will also serve as Olympic qualifiers and that is why we want to send the best of the best lot in the event,” Nasir underlined.

The 32-year-old Waseem, who is also known as ‘Falcon’, fights in the flyweight category.

Nasir said the federation believes Wasim could qualify for the quadrennial event as he had a will to win. “He is a great puncher and a strong heart. He has got a good chin and the determination to win. We are sure he can make it to the Olympics,” he added.

According to Nasir, Pakistan has also some other highly talented pugilists, who have the potential to make podium finish and claim spots in Olympics.

“Therefore, along with Wasim, we’ll send some other top national boxers of different weight divisions for the World Championships.”

He said the federation was also planning to hold two back-to-back national championships by the end of 2020.

“The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan have dropped significantly and if the situation improves further we’ll stage the National Youth Championship in November and the 38th National Boxing Championship in December,” the PBF secretary added.

He said the Youth Championship would be held either in Peshawar or Quetta, while the National Championship would take place in Lahore.

“The holding of [these] domestic events is crucial as they will help the federation identify talent for the World Boxing Championships,” the PBF secretary remarked.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2020