Bangladesh Boxing Federation (BBF) has expressed frustration over the dilly-dallying of former kick-boxing champion Ali Jacko in the selection process of the boxers intending to acquire advanced training in England.
BBF general secretary MA Quddus Khan is upset with the proceedings so far. “Our four-member selection committee has selected eight boxers and they are ready for trials. However, it is unfortunate that Ali Jacko has not yet arrived at the boxing federation since the first trial was held recently. We are in the dark over what to do next. I do not know whether the boxers will get training in England,” said Quddus.
It was also learnt that the boxing federation is yet to grasp information on the number of boxers who will eventually be picked for training. Initially the number was five but now it has come down to two. The boxers are also frustrated with the scenario.
A few eyebrows have been raised due to the activities of Jacko as he has no license of professional boxing training owing to the fact that he was only a kick-boxer. However, Jacko recently said he will be able to arrange training for the local boxers. The boxing federation, therefore, is not at all impressed with the kick-boxer’s shallow promise.
The former lightweight world-kick boxing champion maintains a website named “CA Foundation” that was established in 2011. Jacko had stated on previous occasions that the foundation has been based on a charity dedicated to his father Chamak Ali. Jacko said the foundation’s objectives were to build hospitals and football stadiums besides creating jobs for the poor people. Training boxers, however, did not feature in his pre-stated agenda.
The website included a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that detailed his conflict with a local member of parliament, Mohibur Rahman Manik. Manik had filed a case of forgery against Jacko and subsequently halted the boxer’s plans to build a football stadium at the cost of TK110 crore. He then requested the PM’s interference.
