The successful conclusion of the inaugural Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament in Karachi is considered a milestone, for it was organised at such a time when foreign players refuse to come to Pakistan due to security reasons. With over 17 countries participating in the eight-day tournament at the Benazir Sports Complex in Lyari, this was Pakistan's way of telling the sports world that we are capable of pulling off an international competition of any level without any security lapses. The technical delegates and officials appointed by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and Asian Boxing Federation, including Mrs Nieva Embuldeniya of Sri Lanka — the Additional EC Member of AIBA — deserves appreciation for conducting the first ever mega event in Pakistan, without any qualms.
The countries that participated in the tournament were China, India, Syria, Iraq, Hungry, Uzbekistan, Singapore, Thailand, Mongolia, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chinese Taipei, Myanmar, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Yemen. Hosts Pakistan, however, entered with two teams — Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Whites — in order to give its 22 boxers the opportunity to get hands-on international experience.
The new setup of the Pakistan Boxing Federation, headed by Doda Khan Bhutto, has done a commendable job by organising the international tournament in a befitting manner, earning praise from competing nations. Although there were many in the boxing fraternity who had reservations about holding a tournament in Pakistan, which is the case with every other sport in the country be it cricket, hockey or squash, all of which have suffered tremendously in the absence of international competitions in the country, the PBF stood up and proved them all wrong. There are still reports in the media stating that the event was successful only because boxing is an indoor game, and organising outdoor games is a completely different ballgame. However, that takes nothing away from the achievements of the PBF in this tournament.
The event was made even more memorable when the PBF invited Hussain Ali Shah, the first ever Pakistani boxer to win a bronze medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics to the tournament to watch the bouts and hand out medals to the winners. Also on the list of surprises was the presence of world-renowned British-Pakistani boxer, Amir Iqbal Khan, who was also given the honour of awarding medals to the winners of different weight categories. The presence of the two legends gave great inspiration to the young boxers. Moreover, Khan was so impressed by the fighting capabilities of the Pakistani boxers that he offered to train them in his own academy in England. Both Shah and Khan also lauded the efforts of the PBF for successfully organising the tournament that would help in the promotion of boxing in Pakistan.
During the tournament, nine boxers belonging to Central African Republic and Cameroon, embraced Islam.
As for the bouts, China shone bright throughout, for all of its six boxers won four gold, one silver and one bronze medals, earning a spot on top of the medal table. Pakistan's light-flyweight finalist Mohib Bacha emerged victorious over Nadir Baloch to get the only gold medal for Pakistan. At the conclusion of the tournament, Pakistan had a bag of 12 medals for which it should be commended.
However, according to Doda Khan Bhutto, approximately 60 to 70 million rupees have been spent on holding the mega event, out of which the PBF could only get 20 to 30 million rupees from the Prime Minister. The federation therefore faces considerable financial problems in clearing outstanding bills, entertaining great hope of getting funds from those, including the Sindh Government, who have promised financial support for the tournament.
