Umar Cheema to be tried for 64 kg category.

After failing to impress the selectors for a berth in the 60 kg category, the United States-born boxer Umar Cheema will try to find a place in 64 kg in the squad for the Asian qualifying round for Olympics to be held in China later this month.

“Umar was tested when he was fielded against Pakistan’s experienced boxer Ali Ahmed for the 60 kg slot but he failed to impress against Ali who played very well,” a source told ‘The News’ on Tuesday.

Ali, from WAPDA, won silver medal in the South Asian Games held recently in India.

“Now we have a seat in the 64kg as Gul Zeb lost to a boxer from Bhutan in the South Asian Games. If Umar plays well against Gul he can be picked in the ten-member final squad for the qualifiers,” the source added.

The 22-year-old Umar’s entry has been sent for the qualifiers to be held in Qian’an from March 23 to April 3. Pakistan are expected to field full squad in the event which is very important as the country missed the previous two Olympics, in 2008 in China and 2012 in London. Three top boxers in each weight in the continental qualifiers will make it to the Rio Games to be held in August.

After the continental qualifiers, Pakistan will still have a chance of moving into the world’s most prestigious affair when they fight in the world qualifiers in Azerbaijan capital Baku from June 7-19.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has emailed the agreement approved by Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to Cuba de Sports in connection with the hiring of Cuban coach Comas Aguilera Bernardo.

“We have sent the agreement through email and will also send it by post. When they receive it we will send the ticket,” PBF secretary Iqbal Hussain told ‘The News’.  The services of the Cuban have been hired initially for one year.

(Source: The News)