KARACHI: British boxer Amir Khan Wednesday hailed the decision to allow professional boxers at the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, saying he would love to represent the country of his parents’ birth, Pakistan.
Khan, born and raised in Bolton, England, won a silver medal in the lightweight category of the 2004 Athens Olympics before turning professional a year later.
But Wednesday’s ruling by boxing’s governing body at an extraordinary congress in Lausanne, Switzerland that professional boxers can compete at the upcoming Olympic Games in Brazil, rekindled Amir’s dreams of glory.
“It’s a decision which I welcome,” Khan said at a press conference at a promotional event in Karachi.
“It will help boxers and if I am permitted as per rules and from my promoter then I would love to compete for Pakistan.”
His father Sajjad Khan hails from Matore village near Kahuta, home to Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and close to the capital Islamabad. He migrated to Britain, where Khan was born in 1986.
Khan said he has roots in Pakistan and wants to serve the country.
“I will be very happy if I can compete in Olympics. I want to serve Pakistan,” said Khan, who has been scouting boxing talent in the country for the last few years.
But Khan’s younger brother Haroon’s dreams of representing Pakistan in the 2012 London Olympics after being snubbed at home were blocked by boxing’s governing body AIBA as he had represented Great Britain at junior level.
Haroon had represented Pakistan in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India where he won a bronze medal in flyweight event.
Seven Pakistani boxers will compete in the last qualifying rounds in Baku, Azerbaijan, but they stand little chance of reaching the Rio Games.
Pakistan’s last appearance in the boxing event came at the Athens Games in 2004.
Pakistan Boxing Federation secretary Iqbal Hussain said he was thrilled at the prospect of Amir representing the country.
“I have to check the rules whether Amir can compete or not but it would be a huge boost for us if it happens because he is our hero,” Hussain said.
Amir Khan wants to represent Pakistan
Amir Khan wants to represent Pakistan
Rajkovic excels as Al-Ittihad cruise to victory against Al-Shabab
- Al-Ittihad secure fifth Saudi Pro League win of the season with a 2-0 victory
JEDDAH: It has not been the start to the season that Al-Ittihad fans had anticipated. Nevertheless, on their return to Saudi Pro League action after a 36-day hiatus, the defending champions delivered a performance that offered renewed confidence ahead of a demanding run of seven matches in the space of 30 days.
The opening exchanges proved far from straightforward for The Tigers.
Attempting to play out from the back, they were punished within the first two minutes as Abdullah Matuq pounced on a mistake to find himself one-on-one with Predrag Rajkovic, only for the Serbian goalkeeper to produce the first of several crucial saves. Just 60 seconds later, Rajkovic was called into action again, this time denying a header from a corner.
Momentum soon shifted. Roger Fernandes began to cause problems down the left wing, his quick footwork getting the better of Al-Shabab’s defence before he delivered a low cross into the box. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, aided by Karim Benzema’s intelligent screening of Saad Balobaid, met it to open the scoring in the 16th minute.
Al-Ittihad came close to doubling their advantage in the 28th minute. Mohannad Al-Shangeeti struck the far post with a powerful effort, before his follow-up attempt narrowly missed the target, drifting wide of Marcelo Grohe’s goal.
Grohe was later called upon to keep Al-Shabab in the contest, producing a fine save in the 58th minute to deny Benzema after the Frenchman was released by a perfectly weighted pass from Steven Bergwijn.
Al-Ittihad continued to dominate possession, though Imanol Alguacil’s side managed to limit Fernandes’ influence by committing extra defensive cover on the left flank.
That adjustment failed to account for Al-Shangeeti’s runs from deep, as he surged down the right to find Bergwijn, who finished first time to seal the contest for the hosts in the 85th minute.
Late substitute Abdulaziz Al-Bishi thought he had added a third in the closing stages, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The win lifts Al-Ittihad into sixth place on 17 points, while Al-Shabab remain just two points above the relegation zone, extending their winless run to eight matches since their Matchday 2 victory over Al-Hazem.
