British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan on Wednesday expressed resolve to establish boxing academy in Islamabad by the end of ongoing year.
“I have come here today to talk about Amir Khan Boxing Academy. What I want is to improve boxing in Pakistan,” he told media after his meeting with Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera at his office.
He said a lot of paper work was required to be done before the establishment of the academy in the Capital adding that after sometime he would come back again so that further development for establishing the academy could be made. “We need things to move quickly. We have done a lot of work today. Hopefully; before our next meeting the paper work will be finalized and there will be a lot of progress till then,” he added.
Read: Boys will be boys: Shoaib Malik and Amir Khan unleash their inner Bajrangi
He said he had been frequently visiting Pakistan in the past but never stayed here more than two or three days and it was for the first time that he had spent several days here. “I will be staying here for nine more days. All this is just for the sake of academy.”
The Current World Boxing Council Silver Welterweight champion said boxing in Pakistan needed a base among young athletes and setting up academies would help move the process forward. “We need boxing academies here. This is the only way to move forward in the game,” he said.
Amir also sought government’s help in establishing his academy in Islamabad and believed that Pakistan could produce not one or two but several champions but they needed support. “We have the talent, we have the fighters. But we dont have gyms and training centres. We need to support the young pugilists. If we will not help them, then who will do that,” he said.
Also Read: Amir Khan calls out Mayweather after unanimous decision win
He said Pakistani boxers could also avail boxing facilities at his gym in UK saying, “they may use these whenever they want.” However; he said that he believed that Pakistanis should have such facilities in their own country adding that he would himself come here and train Pakistani boxers. “I want to come here and train young people myself. I will show people how is training given and what this is all about,” he added.
Amir Khan said that Pakistan was beautiful country and it was safe for all kind of sports. “Pakistan is a beautiful country. Whenever I come here I feel secure. It is a safe country. I want all other people (sportspersons) to also come and enjoy here,” he maintained. (APP)
