March 7 - A row has broken out in Pakistan between boxing officials and the country's head coach after it was announced that Amir Khan's younger brother, Haroon (pictured), was to represent the country at this year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and the Olympic Games at London in 2012.


As revealed on insidethegames on Friday, it had been announced by the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) that the 18-year-old from Bolton, brother of the 2004 Olympic silver medallist and the current world lightweight champion, would fight for the country of his father's birth having grown disillusioned at being overlooked for both the 21-strong GB podium and 11-man development squads.

But now Francisco Roldan, the Cuban coach recruited by the PBF last October to oversee their preparations for New Delhi and London, has cast doubts over whether Haroon will be chosen.

He said: "He [Haroon] was here in the camp sometimes ago.

"He wished to be the part of the camp.

"I told him he could be part of the camp if he wants to.

"But this does not mean he is in the team.

"You see he is not even in my list of camp trainees.

"At the moment, Haroon does not exist in the camp.

"So I can't say for sure that he will be in the team."

It is believed that Haroon wants to stay and train in Bolton at his brother's gym, joining the Pakistan team only for the final preparations.

But Roldan has warned him that he would stand more chance of being selected if he was based at the camp in Karachi on a permanent basis.

He said: "I saw him spar for just 20 minutes when he came here.

"He was good so I told him he could join the camp and that's all.

"Ideally, I want him in the camp tomorrow.

"But if he wants to be here after two months, or just two months before the [Commonwealth] Games, I will allow him but again, he needs to prove himself.
 
"I have the final say in the selection and PBF does not interfere in selection matters."

A further complication for Haroon could be that Derek Mapp, the chairman of the British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA), is set to challenge his change of allegiance because International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules say there must be a three-year gap between competing for different countries and he has already represented England.

Mapp said: "We do not think this is the best route for him in any event."


Related stories
March 2010: Amir Khan's brother to fight for Pakistan at London 2012 Olympics
February 2010: Alan Hubbard - Exclusively reveals why Amir Khan's highly-rated younger brother is set to snub Britain and fight for Pakistan at London 2012