In the ring

With its top officials busy in their bitter tussle for power and its pugilists struggling helplessly at the international level, Pakistan boxing seemed to be down and almost out. But a little-known boxer from Quetta has managed to provide a ray of hope to the sport – becoming the first Pakistani to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) silver flyweight crown. Mohammad Waseem’s impressive victory against battle-hardened Filipino Jether Oliva in Seoul on July 17 leaves him just one just one step away from the coveted world title. It is a huge achievement from a 28-year-old, who had to turn pro last year after failing to get support from the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) despite the fact that he was once a very promising amateur who won an Asian Games bronze medal for Pakistan. His victory in the Seoul event was hailed by all quarters and Waseem was duly rewarded for his stunning feat. While the boxer’s triumph proves that national boxers still have great potential it also underlines the fact that all is not well in Pakistan boxing. Before turning pro, Waseem tried his best to garner the backing of Pakistan’s boxing chiefs but he was overlooked. Many thought he was a spent force.

Waseem is not the only boxer to get a cold shoulder from the authorities. Such treatment is widespread mainly because the top PBF officials are busy fighting their turf wars and spare little time and energy for the sport itself. Pakistan boxing has been in complete disarray and the situation is directly responsible for the country’s abysmally low standing at the international level. There was a time when Pakistani boxers won medals at Asian, international and even Olympic levels but now they stand nowhere. Pakistan even failed to qualify for the boxing event of this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The country’s boxing chiefs have long been defending themselves by claiming there is a dearth of talent. Waseem’s Seoul triumph is a slap on their face. It is clear that the fault lies with the officials and not the boxers. It is time the PBF changed its game plan and started supporting talented boxers like Waseem. That is the only way Pakistan will be able to revive its lost status as a regional power in boxing.