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Karachi. World boxing champion Amir Khan on Thursday promised to help bring international sports back to Pakistan, saying he would try to convince English cricketers to tour the insurgency-hit nation.

“I am pleased to be back in the country of my forefathers, and when people see me touring Pakistan it will put in their minds that it’s a safe place to play,” said Khan, a Briton of Pakistani descent.

Khan, who became World Boxing Association light-welterweight champion last year, is in Karachi as a guest for the 20-nation Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship, named after the slain former prime minister.

The tournament is the first major international sporting event in Pakistan since a militant attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009 left eight people dead and injured seven players and a coach.

Even before the attacks, foreign teams had refused to play in cricket, field hockey and football events.

Khan, 23, said he would try to convince England cricketers to tour Pakistan, starting with his cousin, Sajid Mahmood.

“I know a lot of English players like Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Strauss, who I can tell that playing in Pakistan is safe,” he said.

“The world must support Pakistan as it’s a great sporting nation, and it should not be left alone because if the world leaves them alone then the talent in Pakistan could not be harnessed.”

England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy last year, citing security fears. The ICC also stripped Pakistan of its World Cup 2011 matches after the attack on the Sri Lankan team.

“What happened in the past was deplorable, but at times the situation is blown out of proportion, which is disappointing,” Khan said.

Khan, whose parents hail from a village near Rawalpindi, rose to prominence when he won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of 17 — the youngest British boxing medalist.

“Pakistani cricketers are world class, and I am amazed to see the boxing talent as four Pakistani boxers are in the final of the Benazir Bhutto tournament, which proves there is a great future for the sport,” Khan said.

“I am there as inspiration and can help Pakistani boxers train whenever they want to come to my academy in Bolton.”

“I am ready to train them and win world titles,” said Khan, who also promised to fight a professional bout in Pakistan.




Agence France-Presse