LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said Friday that famous British boxer Amir Khan would attend the closing ceremony of the first-ever Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship starting from May 12 here at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall. “The presence of world known boxer at the closing ceremony on May 15 will definitely be a great source of encouragement for our young pugilists,” he said while addressing a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium here. Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Director Muhammad Anees Sheikh, Director Admin Javed Chohan, Deputy Director Hafeez Bhatti, PRO Abdul Rauf and Punjab Boxing Association officials were also present on the occasion. Jahangir said the Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship would explode into action with a colourful opening ceremony. “The SBP, under the leadership of Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan, has provided a best platform to the potential boxers of Punjab to exhibit their talent at the grand championship which is going to be held under the slogan of ‘Kaunbanayga Punjab ka boxing champion’, (who will be the Punjab boxing champion).” He said 770 boxers including 100 women from across the province took part in the trials held for selecting talented boxers. “A large number of boxers from all parts of province took part in the trials activity in three classes – elite class (boys), youth class (u-16 boys) and elite class (girls). And it happened for the first time in the history of Pakistan that young boxers from remote areas of the province featured in the trials.” The Punjab Minister for Sports further said that 177 male and 22 female boxers have been shortlisted for the Inter-Division Punjab Open Boxing Championship. “The shortlisted pugilists have been selected through a transparent selection process.” He said after completing the trials process across the province, now we have complete data of all male and female boxers and their categories and we can make better planning for our future boxing events and ultimately it will help in further promoting boxing. Elaborating about the prizes to be warded to the notable performers of the event , Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said: “Punjab Government is going to award huge cash prizes to the winners and overall Rs 2.6 million will be spent on the championship. The winner, runners up and third position holder in different categories will pocket Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 12,000 respectively.” Jahangir Khanzada said there is no dearth of boxing talent in the province. “Punjab Government has decided to establish modern boxing rings at nine divisional headquarters to polish boxing talent in all parts of province. Boxing rings will also be established at district level in the next phase,” he revealed. He said that Punjab Government under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, is taking best possible measures for the promotion of sports in all parts of the province. “As many as 22 sports gymnasiums and 18 E-Libraries have been completed in different cities of the province. Moreover, seven cricket grounds, six hockey grounds with top class turfs and lights, State of the Art Punjab International Swimming Complex, international level tennis stadium have also been completed.” Jahangir Khanzada said eleven cricket academies under the supervision of legendary cricketer Zaheer Abbas have also been functional in various cities. “Qualified coaches are imparting modern training to young cricketers at these academies. Similarly, Punjab Government also taken sufficient measures for the promotion of squash, tennis, football and other games throughout the province,” he explained. Published in Daily Times, May 12th 2018.