Pakistan is ‘safe’ for sport events: Amir Khan
Sports Sunday, January 10th, 2010Light welterweight world champion Amir Khan declared that he feels secure here, sending out a clear message to the world’s sporting nations that Pakistan is not a red zone.
“It is nice to be here in Pakistan. I feel safe and enjoy myself. Pakistan is a beautiful country.
When the people will know that Amir Khan is here it would turn the minds of many of them and other sporting nations. I would say if the boxing teams from around the world could come here why not other countries could do so,” the 22-year old British Pakistani world champion said during a press conference.
Also present on the occasion were his father Shajjad Mehmood, 1988 Seoul Olympic bronze medallist Syed Hussain Shah, the president of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto and the secretary of the PBF Muhammad Akram Khan.
Amir is here along with his parents and uncle and his presence will boost up the image of the country. He will also witness the finals of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament here and will meet the Pakistani team.
Amir became the WBA light welterweight champion after defeating Andreas Kotelnik of Ukraine on July 18, 2009 at the age of 22.
The boxer said that it is a great achievement that four Pakistani boxers have reached the finals out of the twelve who had confirmed their places in the semifinals.
“I believe that the amateur boxers of Pakistan could touch the heights if they are properly supported. The president of the Pakistan Boxing Federation, the secretary and others are working hard. I hope that it would propel Pakistan boxing to the new heights,” the lion-hearted British pugilist said.
“When I went to play in the Athens Olympics, no one knew me. It was an eye opener for me and with God’s mercy I got the silver. Then I won the world title but I would say that Olympics was the best tournament,” Amir conceded.
He also put his heart out to support the Pakistani boxers in their ambitions to achieve the world titles.
Amir, who has a height of five feet and ten inches, said, “Boxing is no more a poor sport. Though once it used to be. In Pakistan there is great craze for cricket, but I would say that in America and England, boxing is the biggest sport,” he said. About the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing tournament he said it would open the doors for the future events as numerous countries are featuring in the event here.
“When I was a young kid I was hyperactive. I was fond of boxing and my uncle and parents supported me a lot. English cricketer Sajid Mehmood, who is my cousin, is also being strongly backed by his parents and other family members,” he said.
“After boxing, I like cricket as my cousin is also a cricketer as it is a graceful game. When Pakistan won the Twenty20 World Cup in England, I was there and also met with Shahid Afridi and other cricketers. Pakistan won two titles last year, one in boxing, while referring to himself, and one in cricket,” Amir proudly said.
Amir is desperate to spend few days in Rawalpindi, his parents’ native land and then he will head to England to start preparation for his next fight which would be held in America in March or April.
“I am lucky that every one is proud of me in England and even in America whenever I go there I receive respect from them,” Amir replied to a question.
After the press conference Amir told ‘Our Sources’ that Pakistani boxers should know that boxing is now more technical and they will have to focus more on their fitness and on their game.
“Boxing is no more a bloody sport but has turned a great deal. It is now more technical and an art. I concentrate on fitness a lot and offer prayers five times a day and that’s all,” the smiling Amir said.
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on Jan 10 2010. Filed under