[claret_n_blue]

I heard someone say that Amir Khan is a rubbish boxer and the only reason he's so hyped up because he chose to fight for Britain over Pakistan. Now, ignoring the first bit, I think there is something terribly wrong about the second part of that statement. He couldn't CHOOSE to fight for Britain could he? In fact, I don't think he had a choice. He either fights for Britain, or doesn't fight in the Olympics. Pakistan doesn't come into the question at all. Because he was born in England and has a British passport and never held a Pakistani one, I don't think he can fight for Pakistan.

Or am I wrong?

[M1011]

I would assume that if his parents are from Pakistan he could probably get citizenship if he wanted, and hence fight for Pakistan. Not sure why you think there's an issue here?

[Manitude]

He got silver in the olympics some time ago, he can't be that bad.

[pinda.college]

He qualifies to fight for Pakistan through his parents/grand-parents.

[DorianGrayism]

His brother fights for Pakistan,,

[Khadijah6987]

Yes he could because of his parents nationality. I've got Dual Citizenship of England and Rep. of Ireland, so have 2 passports. He might have that with Pakistan as his 'second' nationality etc. It's like when you play football for a country, as long as your grandparents were born there, you could play for that country. Wasn't there a footballer who had south Korean nationality, but revoked it for north korea so he could play in the world cup?

[ConnorB]

I can technically (if I was athlete... I know) represent India, Ireland and the USA through grandparents heritage

Of course I'd choose Great Britain anyway though

[RollandGarros]

Amir Khan is my hero. Do not bad mouth him. Ever

[VQG]

(Original post by RollandGarros)
Amir Khan is my hero. Do not bad mouth him. Ever

Okay.

[SirMasterKey]

How does he fight 'for Britain' now? He fights for himself but I just take it as he sees himself as British. He fought for Team GB in the Olympics but he couldn't do that now being a pro. He doesn't box for the country in the traditional sense anymore, unless there is some secret world ranking of boxing via country I don't know about.

[robotpenguin]

(Original post by claret_n_blue)
I heard someone say that Amir Khan is a rubbish boxer and the only reason he's so hyped up because he chose to fight for Britain over Pakistan. Now, ignoring the first bit, I think there is something terribly wrong about the second part of that statement. He couldn't CHOOSE to fight for Britain could he? In fact, I don't think he had a choice. He either fights for Britain, or doesn't fight in the Olympics. Pakistan doesn't come into the question at all. Because he was born in England and has a British passport and never held a Pakistani one, I don't think he can fight for Pakistan.

Or am I wrong?

It is very similar to how all these 'foreign' cricketers play for England. Strauss, Trott, Pietersen and Prior are all born in South Africa, but qualify to play for England through parents and grandparents. Trott and Pietersen played for South Africa for many years, and then chose to play for England!