LAHORE - World fame British boxer Aamir Khan, having Pakistani origin, will be the Brand Ambassador of Punjab Youth Festival 2014.
The two times world welter weight boxing champion Aamir Khan announced to accept the responsibility to be the brand ambassador at a press conference in the multi-purpose gymnasium of Sports Board Punjab (SBP) here on Friday. Provincial Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and DG Sports Punjab Usman Anwar were also present on the occasion besides the family members of Aamir including his younger brother Haroon Khan who is a bantam weight boxer.
Talking to the reporters, Aamir said: “I am willing to come to Pakistan twice a year and will participate in the training sessions of the young Pakistani boxers provided a world class boxing academy established in Lahore.”
He offered technical collaboration with the Sports Board Punjab in this regard. He pledged to work enthusiastically as brand ambassador of the ongoing Punjab Youth Festival and termed it as the biggest sports event in the world. “I will try my best to be personally present on the occasion of World Boxing Council Championship to be held in Lahore to promote boxing in Pakistan.”
He gave a message to youth of the country to be part of the festival which will provide them an opportunity to conquer the world through conviction with sports and a civilised behaviour. “I believe our youth will show the world power we have.”
Rana Mashhood said that this time, Pakistani youth would not only break 25 world records set by them during Punjab Youth Festival 2012, but also set more new world records during Punjab Youth Festival 2014.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister M Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan has vast talent in sports and the government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of healthy activities in the province. Talking to British boxer of Pakistani origin Aamir, who called on him, here on Friday, the CM said that Aamir had achieved fame at international level at a young age. Provincial Minister for Education and Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and some family members of Aamir were also present there.
Talking to Aamir, the CM said that the boxer had achieved a prominent place in the field of boxing and it was a matter of pleasure that his ancestors were from Pakistan and the nation was proud of the achievements of Aamir. “Punjab government was striving for promotion of boxing and boxing bouts would also be held in the festival. “Pakistani boxers need modern training in this field and abilities so experience of Aamir will be of great help in this regard,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Aamir said that the chief minister was playing a positive role for the promotion of sports in Punjab and his efforts would encourage sportsmen in the province who would win laurels for the country at international level. “I want to provide international standard training to Pakistani boxers and have intention to set up an academy for this purpose,” he concluded.