What was really encouraging about the winter camp was the focus on the next generation boxers who were as young as 14 years old. -Photo courtesy KSBA

KARACHI Where boxing facilities in Pakistan are scarce and the national federation seems inefficient, coaching camps organised by a local association have become a major source of producing top national fighters.

The Karachi South Boxing Association (KSBA), representing the home of Pakistan boxing - Lyari, has been organising such coaching and training camps since 2003. One such activity organised by KSBA in collaboration with Sindh Sports Board is the winter coaching and training camp which recently concluded at Pak National Club in People's Sports Complex.

What was really encouraging about the winter camp was the focus on the next generation boxers who were as young as 14 years old. The camp which was held between Dec 25, 2009 and Jan 21, 2010, had no less than 76 boxers in different age groups under coaches Murad Bukhsh Baloch, Jawaid Jan, Abba Ghafoor and camp commandant Noor Mohammad Qambrani.

The winter camp, which was organised by KSBA for the first time after holding summer camps for eight years, was a nudge for the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) which hardly emphasises on grassroots boxing.

Some of the top pugilists of the country are the products of these coaching camps such as light-flyweight Nadir Baloch, flyweight Waheed Baloch and lightweight Adnan Hussain - all silver medallists in the Benazir Bhutto International tournament held last month in Karachi.

Among other boxers who honed up their skills in these camps were 2005 Asian junior championship best boxer Ali Mohammad, SAF Games champions Dur Mohammad, Shoaib Rasheed, and the Asian cadet championship best boxer Mohammad Nisar.

“These camps are really beneficial for our boxers. They provide a strong base to young boxers. From these camps a lot of boxers have joined the national squad and different department teams. I have also attended summer camps in cadet and boys categories,” Nadir Baloch told Dawn.com.

Sadly, despite having a passion for the sport, the youth, especially from Lyari, are opting to stay away from the camps mainly because of financial woes.

“I believe there is a decline in number of boxers in these camps now. It is not because people are no more interested in boxing. They want to get involved in boxing, but financial problems are keeping them away from the sport. Youngsters have families to take care but no jobs. How they can have peace of mind and practice boxing when they have no money to feed their families,” Nadir said.

Like Nadir, Adnan Hussain was also all praise for such coaching camps, saying the activity should continue.

“Like so many other national boxers, I have also attended these camps in under-13 and under-15 age group. This is a nursery for producing national boxers. I must say such camps should continue and be patronised so that we can have more talent for the national team,” Adnan said.

Nevertheless, lack of patronage by the PBF and financial constraints are stumbling blocks in holding and expanding the activity, although the national training camps usually have almost 50 per cent trainees from KSBA coaching camps.

“We certainly are facing financial problems. We badly need equipment like gloves, head guards, pads, punching bags, skipping ropes and all other things that are required for the coaching and training. It is a pity that we are facing these difficulties despite the fact that we produce national boxers and whenever a national squad is formed almost 50 per cent boxers are from KSBA,” said KSBA secretary Asghar Baloch.

Asghar was also critical of the decline of the sports in Pakistan despite money is being doled out to the national federations.

“Government may be extending financial assistance to national federations, but I feel sports in our country are deteriorating because people are using their positions of power for personal gain. This is an alarming situation for us,” said KSBA official.

Indifferent attitude of the PBF is deplorable for district south of the city, which includes Lyari and has produced boxing Olympians and stars like the Olympic bronze medallist Hussain Shah and 2002 Asian Games champion Mehrullah.

Not only the people at the helm of sports affairs and PBF extend financial assistance to the KSBA, they should also provide equipment including computers to help the association run on modern lines.