Amir Khan attends Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship

Lahore : British boxing champion Amir Khan said Pakistan had plenty of boxing talent and Sports Board Punjab’s mega Punjab Open Inter-Division Boxing Championship will produce top class boxing champions in future, he said this while addressing the colourful closing ceremony of mega Punjab Open Inter-Division Boxing Championship at Al-Hamra Cultural Complex on Tuesday.

Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada, Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Amir Jan, Pakistan Boxing Federation President Khalid Mehmood, Punjab Olympic Association Secretary Idris Haider Khawaja, Director Sports Anees Sheikh, Director Admin Javed Chohan and a large number of boxing lovers were also present in the ceremony.

Famous boxer Amir Khan presented souvenirs to Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada, Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan, Director Sports Muhammad Anees Sheikh, Director Admin Javed Chauhan. Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada, Secretary Sports Punjab Aamir Jan also presented a souvenir to boxing star Amir Khan.

Talking to media Amir Khan thanked Sports Board Punjab for inviting him in the closing ceremony of Punjab Open Inter-Division Boxing Championship. He said that he wants to do something for Pakistan boxing. “Pakistan through some sincere efforts can produce another Amir Khan. Pakistan needs to build more boxing rings in all cities”.

Amir expressed his wish to play boxing in Pakistan. “Despite being a British, I have special attachment with Pakistan and it is my utmost desire to see Olympic and World Champion boxers from Pakistan,” he added.

In his welcome speech, Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said that it’s great occasion in Punjab’s boxing history to have a world boxing star Amir Khan with us. “We feel immense pleasure to say warm welcome to our distinguished guest in the closing ceremony of Punjab Open Inter-Division Boxing Championship”.

He said Amir’s presence in the closing ceremony is definitely a big source of inspiration for our young boxers. “Our young pugilists will learn a lot from world’s top boxer during his stay in Pakistan”.

Olympic medallist British boxing star Amir Khan along with his wife Faryal also witnessed the exciting fights of boys and girls on this occasion.

Secretary Sports Amir Jan announced that Sports Board Punjab will build a world class boxing ring with the cost of Rs 50 million in near future. “The presence of Amir Khan with local boxers will be a great boost for our young boxers”.

The Minister said that Punjab govt has established a network of modern sports facilities across the province and fulfilled the vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. And now the talented youth of the remote areas are utlising sports facilities near their home towns. “Punjab govt will establish modern boxing rings at nine divisional headquarters to hone boxing talent. Sports Board Punjab has provided best platform to potential boxers of Punjab to show their talent,” he added.

“It’s first time in country’s history that dozens of boxers from remote areas featured in a grand boxing championship. Sports Board Punjab has also prepared a complete calendar of sports activities. It has been decided to hold 24 games including boxing at district level. These games include 14 men’s categories and 10 women to find out fresh talent in the province”.