Dying in oblivion: 1989 SAG gold medallist boxer Qumbrani laid to rest in Lyari

Former Pakistan Boxing Federation official Qadri recalls pugilist’s motivations, illness

KARACHI: The 2019 South Asian Games may have gotten over and there may have been a visible decline in how Pakistani boxing is almost finished in the games too, but how does Pakistan treat its boxers?

The 1989 gold medallist boxer Abdul Majeed Qumbrani, coming from a family of pugilists, breathed his last on December 18 and was buried in Lyari. The boxing community in the country can feel how they have been neglected far too long by the Pakistan Boxing Federation and the complete ignorance of the matter by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the government.



Majeed had won the gold medal in the 1989 South Asian Games in Islamabad, when he was young at around 17 and lifted the flag at the podium on the first place, remembers former PBF official and international referee Ali Akber Shah Qadri with a grief in his voice.

Qadri believes if the right support is given to the boxers, the sport can change their lives for better, but in Pakistan talented athletes like Majeed die in oblivion even at younger ages like 45.

Injured Judoka Qaisar searching for silver lining after 2019 SAG medals

"He couldn't have been more than 45," Qadri told The Express Tribune. "And I still remember him along with his three other brothers coming to Karachi from Kalri, they have all done the country proud. Majeed and Rasheed they have won medals for Pakistan and Majeed was a bright boxer, he was living in Macchar Colony now, and he went on to be buried in Lyari too, where the boxing started for this country. I still can't believe that we forget our boxers this way."

Wade said that Qumbrani had been suffering from kidney failure for some time while living in the impoverished locality of Macchar Colony.



He added that Qumbrani had represented K- Electric (formerly known as KESC) in the 80's and 90's, while he also went on to train in Cuba and won two medals — a bronze and silver — at the international amateur events.

"Majeed tried hard, like him and his brothers. Majeed did get financial help from his department, but the government did not help," said Qadri.

Back to reality: Sprinter Asra unfazed by lack of recognition after 2019 SAG heroics

He pointed out that he tried to appeal to the International Olympic Committee representative and member Shahod Ali Shah, to help Majeed with dialysis in Liaquat National Hospital but the pleas fell on deaf ears.

"It’s not easy in this country to get decent medical treatment if you don't have money and the illness had left Majeed without much. We tried very hard for him, his family really suffered too, but the government never asked or cared for the boxers and the federation doesn't care either," said Qadri.



He added Qumbrani's oldest child is around 13 years of age, while he himself also liked to coach and encourage children to pick boxing.

"We was a champion in every way and a hard worker too, and he did like to see girls taking up boxing,” said Qadri.

He added that former medallists for Pakistan like Ali Asghar Changezi, Haider Ali and others have forwarded messages of condolence for Majeed.