- Title: BOXING-PAKISTAN/KHAN British boxer Amir Khan overwhelmed by support in Pakistan
- Date: 4th August 2015
- Summary: LAHORE , PAKISTAN (AUGUST 3, 2015) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) PAKISTAN-BORN BRITISH BOXER AMIR KHAN SPARRING WITH BOXING FANS KHAN EMBRACING FAN GIRLS CHEERING KHAN SPARRING WITH SMALL BOY TWO SMALL BOYS SPARRING VARIOUS OF GUEST WATCHING KHAN, STANDING IN THE RING, HANDING SMALL BOY TO CROWD
- Embargoed: 19th August 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Pakistan
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA7ISXAIXDQR4WAAZGWYOAAP13S
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
British boxer Amir Khan on Monday (August 3) said he has been overwhelmed by the support from Pakistanis, especially boxing fans who have been following his fights with great enthusiasm.
Khan, visiting the country where his parents were born, received a rapturous welcome in Lahore.
"I've been talking to people while I've been in Pakistan, and they told me that when Amir Khan fights, the streets of Pakistan stop. The people in Pakistan [inaudible because of cheering and clapping]. One thing I want to say is, thank you for that because obviously I live in England, I fight America, and I didn't know I had so much support in this country. But they told me that this young Amir Khan has the biggest support. Its like Pakistan in the World Cup Cricket when Amir Khan fights, in the Finals," Khan told reporters.
He said, like all Pakistanis, he had been an avid cricket fan since childhood, and had especially enjoyed watching the last T20 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on August 1 which Pakistan had won after a thrilling game.
"They worked so hard to beat Sri Lanka. And I just want to say what a great performance it was. A lot of people thought they were gonna lose, because you know there were early wickets taken. But then they come back so strong. And I think Pakistan is where they were before, when they were top, and I really believe that they can, God willing, get to the top again and they'll win the World Championship," he said.
The 28-year-old World Boxing Council silver welterweight champion said that he could see a lot of talented young boxers in Pakistan who have the potential to gain international prominence if modern facilities are provided to them to polish their skills.
"Its all about the youth, you know, bringing them into sport, giving them a path in life. And that's what I want to do. With the academies also I want to build, the Amir Khan Foundation which I'm going to be doing here in Pakistan. My next project is going to be in Pakistan. My first one is in Gambia, the next one is in Pakistan, God willing," he said.
Khan said he planned to build an orphanage in Pakistan for destitute children.
"End of the year, after my next fight which will be in November-December, I want to come to Pakistan and I want to build an orphanage here for the young people, for the young kids who have single parents or no parents. You know , doing charity work, I think we should all do charity work. It makes me feel so much better when you do charity, " he said.
Khan, who arrived in Pakistan on Friday (July 31) on a four-days' visit, accompanied by his wife and baby daughter, spent a busy time in the central city of Lahore.
He visited the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, the patron saint of Lahore on Sunday (August 2) amid very tight security.
He placed flowers and a velvet spread on the grave of the saint, and prayed beside the grave. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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