(From left to right) Media Relations deputy Ahmed Hisham al-Masri, Qatari lightweight boxer Abdellatif Mohamed Sadiq, Media Relations director Hassan al-Mohammadi, Qatar national boxing coach Juanito Carlos Basnueva and Qatar Boxing Federation official Khalid Youssef al-Mass.

By Mikhil Bhat/Doha

While four Qatar boxers have moved into the next round at the Doha International Boxing Tournament, the challenge his job provides him is not lost on the national team coach Juanito Carlos Basnueva.
The Cuban has been in Qatar for more than a decade and laments the lack of clubs in the country, which he says is behind the success of boxing world over. “Our sport is very difficult as compared to many other sports because it is very tough physically. 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,” Basnueva told a press conference yesterday.
“Boxing is fairly new in this country. At the moment we do not have much facilities. Also in terms of boxers, it is very difficult to find good boxers even in countries which have a long history of boxing. 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.”
As of now the Qatar Boxing Federation has got in touch with schools to start grooming boxers from a young age. As of now the federation has taken around 45-50 children under its wings to create a sound base for the sport in the country. “Ninety percent of the students in training at the moment are from high school and the remaining are from primary school. But it takes time,” Basnueva said.
Even as he dabbles in the larger picture of boxing, the importance of the Doha International Boxing Tournament is playing on his mind too.
“This competition is very important because this will serve as a preparation for the world championship. We do not have a great team at the moment but we are working hard to get the possible results in the championship,” he said.
Qatar’s hopes suffered a blow on day one of the competition as their experienced welterweight boxer Nabah Huzam fell in the first round itself. Nuzam had won bronze in the 2006 Asian Games in the light heavyweight (81kg) category but has moved down the weight category since.
“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. For all you know, he may retire after the championship. Also, he recently underwent a surgery on his arm 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 coach said.
Talking about the world championships, he said, “There will be training camps outside Qatar. 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.”

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