Much-vaunted and publicised by the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), the event was virtually a flop on the opening day as the computer scoring system worth millions of rupees recently bought by the national federation from Switzerland did not work.
The third bout between Pakistan Greens' Mohammed Waseem and Tharindu Dhashilath of Sri Lanka had to be stopped several times as the scoring system did not work and the bout had to be restarted since the judges were unable to give points.
Again during the fifth fight between Hussein Aqeel of Iraq and Yong Dang of China the scoring system stopped working, forcing the referee to stop and start the fight several times, hoping that system would work out well.
As the system failed to work, the technical delegate Nieva Embuldeniya had to personally go and instruct all the five judges to record the points manually. The points were then collected by the referee after each bout before presenting it to the jury for the announcement of the result. Although the work done manually consumed a lot of time, the technical officials did not have a better option.
Investigations revealed that it was not the faulty system, but the person responsible for running it who failed. Waheed Maqsood, the official in question, was sent to foreign tours along with team to get first-hand knowledge about the software which was introduced by International Boxing Association (AIBA) in 2006 and replaced the Chowdhry Scoring System.
While the system worked perfectly at 2006 Doha Asian Games and 2008 Beijing Olympics, it could not work in Pakistan as Waheed Maqsood failed to operate it despite getting familiar with the new software on tours abroad. It is learnt that he might be replaced tomorrow (Sunday) for smooth functioning of the show.
Not only the organisers failed to operate the scoring system, but there were no electronic scoreboards at the venue which is a prerequisite for international competitions. Instead, small computers were installed at the two corners for the coaches.
Ironically, when there was confusion and chaos in the boxing hall, the PBF president Doda Khan and secretary Akram Khan were outside, waiting to receive the 'dignitaries' who usually reach late in the sports competitions.
Iraqi chief of delegation, Ghazi Abdul Samad Ahmad, was furious over the mishap, saying the competition had lost its competitiveness because of mismanagement on the part of the organisers.
“The scoring system, the computer, the electronic scoreboards, nothing is working here. The people even dont have the correct names of the boxers, refereeing is very, very poor. The opponent of my boxer was using his palm to hit which is a foul but the referee did nothing. Everything is being done manually. There is total confusion. There is no bell and a person has to shout to start and stop the bout.
“The jury, the judges and the referees, they all know nothing about anything or what's happening over here. And this is happening in the presence of people from AIBA,” said Ahmad while talking to Dawn.com on Saturday after the bout which the Iraqi boxer lost 5-0.
Ahmad also blamed the oganisers for not making technical arrangements, but said he would not be lodging an official protest after being requested by the technical delegate since the tournament was being organised after the name of former Pakistani prime minister.
“I wanted to lodge a protest, but the technical delegate asked me not to do so as this is Benazir Bhutto tournament. But I will certainly protest at the technical meeting the next morning,” said the Iraqi official.
China team manager Tseng Tzu Chiang also complained about the mismanagement and competition being run in disorderly fashion, violating the rules of AIBA.
“We don't want anything more than a fair competition. But if the organsers will not be able to run the computers and scoring system, then how will the boxing be promoted. If the bout stops for a longer time for reason which has nothing to do with the fight, then what will the boxer do. He might lose his concentration and the match naturally.
“If the organisers really want to promote boxing, then they must come up with better arrangements. There was no proper scoring system and no electronic scoreboards which is necessary in international competitions,” said the Chinese official who is also the chief coach.
The boxing fans were also disappointed when PBF failed to fulfill its promise of screening the bouts outside the stadium, while the first session was without the ringside bell.
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