Pakistan sends two males, two girls to Japan Asian Video games as funding, publicity stay hurdles
Sumama Rahman, Pakistan’s strong boxer, fights towards Jadumani Singh of India within the 55 kilogramme bout on the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Video games. Sumama loses 5-0. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
As soon as considered one among Pakistan’s strongest prospects for medals on the Asian Video games, boxing heads into this month’s continental showpiece with modest expectations and a four-member squad.
Pakistan has not gained an Asian Video games boxing medal for the reason that 2014 Incheon Video games, when Mohammad Waseem secured bronze. Waseem has since moved into the skilled boxing and has develop into a WBA World Gold champion.
The drought continued on the 2018 Asian Video games in Jakarta and the 2023 Video games in Hangzhou, with Pakistan’s boxers failing to succeed in the rostrum.
This time, the nation will subject two males and two girls on the Video games in Japan, which formally open on September 19.
Sumama Rahman will compete within the 55kg class, whereas Irfan Khan will enter the 92kg division. Fatima Zehra will combat at 60kg and Maria Rind at 51kg.
The squad has been coaching on the Pakistan Sports activities Advanced in Islamabad since August 24 after the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) carried out an earlier camp in Rawalpindi with the help from the military and the Pakistan Olympic Affiliation (POA).
“Sure, the military backed us, extra particularly administratively, and we’re grateful to them,” PBF president Col Nasir Tung informed The Categorical Tribune.
Tariq Siddiqui of WAPDA and Liaquat Mughal of Navy will accompany the boxers to Japan.
The monetary constraints surrounding the group underline one of many sport’s largest issues in Pakistan, the restricted sources for worldwide competitors.
Pakistan Sports activities Board (PSB) will sponsor one male and one feminine boxer, whereas the federation will cowl the remaining members of the delegation.
“Sure, what we will as Board sponsors solely two boxers,” Nasir stated.
For the federation, the problem goes past funding a single Asian Video games marketing campaign. Nasir stated Pakistan’s boxers lacked the worldwide publicity wanted to construct rankings and acquire expertise towards stronger oppositions.
“We don’t have company sector help and state additionally doesn’t again us that a lot and it’s not simple to make sure most participation of boxers in worldwide circuit,” he stated.
That lack of competitors has a direct influence on Pakistan’s prospects at main occasions, he added.
“Until you give publicity to boxers they won’t enhance,” Nasir stated.
The Asian Video games draw shall be significantly demanding, with established boxing nations from Central Asia joined by sturdy contenders from international locations together with Iran, India, Thailand and hosts Japan.
“It’s not simple to win medal on this belt,” Nasir stated.
Regardless of the tough street, he recognized Fatima Zehra as Pakistan’s likelihood of creating a deep run.
“Sure, she is able to reaching the rostrum supplied she will get good attracts,” he stated, whereas pointing once more to the issue of rankings attributable to restricted worldwide publicity.
Zehra’s prospects are supported by her current efficiency on the Commonwealth Video games, the place she gained bronze after an prolonged growth programme backed by the federation.
Nasir stated the outcome demonstrated what higher preparation and publicity might produce.
“ we groomed Fatima Zehra an excessive amount of and the outcome was additionally inspiring as she gained bronze within the Commonwealth Video games,” he stated.
The federation’s monetary limitations have additionally affected the choice and participation of different promising fighters. Maria Rind, who comes from Karachi’s Lyari space, was included in Pakistan’s Commonwealth Video games squad however finally couldn’t journey due to a scarcity of sources.
Rind has competed at a handful of worldwide occasions throughout her profession and can now have one other alternative to check herself on the Asian stage.
For Irfan Khan, the event will mark an even bigger milestone. The fighter from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is ready to make his worldwide debut, moving into one of many sport’s hardest aggressive areas with out the advantage of in depth worldwide expertise.
Sumama Rahman and Fatima Zehra, in the meantime, have already got expertise and shall be trying to construct on it in Japan.
The group is because of depart for Japan on September 17, two days earlier than the opening ceremony.