Boxer Amir urges nation to help flood victims

ISLAMABAD Pakistan born English boxer Amir Khan has said that international donors should support Pakistan as two back-to-back disasters, earthquake and flood, have pushed Pakistan back by about 10 to 15 years. Talking to TheNation on Thursday, he said that it was worst disaster in the history of sub continent and has hit the backbone of Pakistans economy. Around five years back, earthquake jolted Pakistan that took the lives of thousands of people. The flood also took the lives of countless people and millions are in distress, he said. Amir further said that he visited Charsada (Khyber PK) and saw the affectees facing a lot of problems. They have taken in various diseases including skin, eyes and others. Clean water is essential need of flood affectees at the moment, he added. The boxing champion, who won silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, said that there was need to help the people to rebuild their future. We collected 40 millions pounds from England to assist the flood affectees in Pakistan but they need more support, he said. Flood also destroyed the crops, fruits, livestock, fields and houses in the lower part of the country. The people of Pakistan have to play their vital role in the rehabilitation of the flood affectees with the support of international community. We will have to toil hard to overcome this situation in the remote areas of the country, Amir said. To a question regarding boxing, he said that he would visit Los Angelus (United States) for training. I will reveal the details of my next bout at the end of this month. I will go back to England on Friday (today) to work on my plan for international competitions, he said. Amir asked international pugilists to visit Pakistan for international competitions. The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is doing well for the promotion of game. However, there is need to extend the numbers of local club and provide maximum opportunities to budding lads. Pakistan has immense talent, he said. He also praised the ongoing joint boxing camp of the regional countries here at Pakistan Sports Complex and said that it would be good opportunity for local boxers to get international exposure before competing in the Commonwealth Games which will be held in October in India. Boxers will certainly improve their game in the camp, he said.