DOHA: Qatar’s long-time coach Juanito Carlos Basnueva is hoping high school students interested in boxing would help in building a strong player base in the country.
“At the moment, we do not have proper training clubs. The federation is trying really hard to ensure a good base for the sport in the country. At the moment we have 45-50 children who are training with us,” Basnueva said during a press conference yesterday.
“We have now made contact with all the schools across Doha to ensure we have a good base,” the Cuban explained. “Our sport is very difficult as compared to many other sports because it is very tough physically.
“Boxing is new in this country. At the moment we do not have much facilities,” Basnueva said.
“Also in terms of boxers, it is very difficult to find good boxers even in countries which have a long history of boxing,” he said.
“A boxer needs to be able to think, needs to have a sound body and also needs heart and determination. Neither of these qualities are dispensable.
“But the federation is trying to build a base. 90% of the students in training at the moment are from high school and the remaining from primary school. But it takes time,” he explained.
When asked about the performances of Qatari boxers at the on-going Doha International Boxing Tournament, Basnueva said: “This competition is very important because this will serve as preparation for the World Championships.”
He added: “We do not have a great team at the moment but we are working hard to get the possible results in the championship.”
Qatar’s veteran boxer Nubah Huzam lost his welter class bout on Wednesday, leaving the hosts one less chance of raking in a medal.
“Huzam is a good boxer and has had some good results in the past. But he is 35 years old and that has to be taken into consideration,” Basnueva said.
“For all you know, he may retire after the World Championships.
“Also, he recently underwent a surgery on his hand and that has to be considered as well in light of his performance which obviously has not been what was expected of him. But we are focusing on creating a special training programme for him,” the Cuban said.
Qatar’s experienced boxer Sadiq Abdullatef said his team-mates will train extensively in the next five months for the October 8-18 AIBA World Boxing Championships to be held in Doha.
“There will be training camps outside Qatar,” Sadiq said.
“The championship will be very tough because this one will serve as the qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The quality of opponents will be really high,” he added.
“We have been preparing for the (on-going) tournament since January. And tomorrow I have a match against a Moroccon boxer. I am hoping for all the support I can get,” he said.
“I have been focusing on being aggressive in the ring. The strategy is to be proactive and aggressive, and not giving the opponents any time to think,” Sadiq said.
“There are some good boxers from Tunisia, Morocco and Australia,” he added.
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