Sri Lanka fields three boxers in Karachi meet

by Anushka WITHANAGE

BOXING: Sri Lanka is fielding three boxers at the inaugural Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament organized by the Pakistan Boxing federation which got under way at the KPT Benazir Sports Complex in Karachi yesterday.

The Lankan boxers picked by the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka are W.S.K. Fernando (light fly 48kg.), Vidyaratha WP, R.M.T. Dakshilatha (Fly 51kg.), Unichela BC and D.R. Wijeratne bantam 54 kgs., Slimline BC who are all under 23 years of age.

Twenty countries are participating in which is the first International sports event to take place in Pakistan for some time. The participating countries includes India, China, Afghanistan, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Cameroon, Ghana, Yemen, Bangladesh, Central Africa, Iraq, Kenya, Mongolia, Singapore, Syria, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Palestine and Jordan.

Approximately, 125 boxers are expected to compete at the 11 men's weight categories, with 60 officials. The organisers intend staging the tournament on an annual basis in different Pakistani cities. On offer will be prize money for all medallists, as well as the winning teams and the best boxer of the tournament. Pakistan's Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, will be the guest of honour during the opening ceremony while President Asif Ali Zardari has been invited to grace the closing ceremony.

AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu has also been invited. The PBF, in collaboration with the Pakistani government, is making strict VIP security arrangements for all foreign teams and visitors during their stay in Karachi.

In addition to boxers, the ABA of Sri Lanka nominated the following officials to adjudicate: U.A.T. Sumanapala - Manager (President of Boxing Coaching Association), T.B. Harsha Kumara - Coach, Maj. P.L.J. Rathnasuriya - Referee and Judge (Asian Qualified).