Pakistan Boxing Federation officials were elated on Thursday when a seven member Indian boxing squad -- first sports delegation to travel to Pakistan after last year's Mumbai terror attacks -- reached here for Shaheed Benazir Bhutto international tournament.
Teams from Syria, Yemen, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Kenya, Iraq and Afghanistan have also reached here for the high profile event with the Chinese Taipei, Myanmar, Vietnam and Chinese teams arriving later.
Tournament Coordinator Iqbal Hussain received the Indian team at the Karachi Airport and described their arrival a big step towards resumption of sporting ties between the two countries.
The Indian squad that includes three boxers and a coach in Shiv Singh who told the media they were looking forward to the tournament.
"It is a big tournament and it is a good opportunity for our boxers to compete against competitors from many other countries," Singh said.
Asked why India had not brought more boxers for the tournament being held in 11 different weight categories, Singh said India had concentrated on those categories in which they were strongest.
He said that his squad was happy to be in Karachi and hopefully would enjoy their stay in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani is due to open the tournament on January 2 at the KPT sports complex with the provincial government providing state level security for the participating boxers and officials.
"The government is on high alert specially after the warning given out by the Taliban that they were planning more attacks after the suicide bomb attack on the Muharram procession on Sunday," a senior police official said.
E-Paper
