Lyari lands first portable boxing ring to boost women’s sport

New facility aims to strengthen women’s boxing and nurture young talent in the area

Young female boxers in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood have received a major boost with the donation of the area’s first portable boxing ring, aimed at strengthening grassroots sports and creating better opportunities for girls in the traditionally boxing-focused community.

The ring, donated by Sehan Vital Fusion, was unveiled during a female boxing exhibition at TMC Bhutto Wala School on Juma Baloch Road in Agra Taj Colony, adjacent to the renowned Pak Shaheen Boxing Club.

The exhibition featured six bouts across weight categories ranging from 26kg to 50kg, with young boxers representing clubs and institutions from across Karachi. The event attracted a large gathering of residents, schoolchildren and boxing enthusiasts, highlighting growing community interest in women's participation in the sport.

Sehan Vital Fusion said the initiative was part of its efforts to address the shortage of sports facilities in underserved communities and provide talented youngsters with access to better training opportunities.

"Our fundamental objective is to ensure that children from underserved backgrounds are never held back simply because they lack access to basic facilities," said Dr Naseem Shekhani, president of Sehan Vital Fusion.

"Every child deserves a platform to showcase their potential, sharpen their skills and move forward in life, and Lyari’s young girls have shown they are more than ready to claim that space," he added.

Younis Qambrani, a former national boxer and head coach of Pak Shaheen Boxing Club, said the new facility would help young female athletes prepare for higher-level competitions.

"The children of Lyari have the grit and passion to excel, but they need proper infrastructure and consistent encouragement to channel that energy," Qambrani said.

"A portable ring gives our young female boxers the exact environment they need to prepare for higher-level competition," he added.

The six exhibition bouts produced victories for Hafifa of Shaheed Zahid Hussain Boxing Club, Nazmeen Sanghar of Pak Shaheen Boxing Club, Hoorian of Farid Colony Boxing Club, Eman of Sindh Muslim Boxing Club, Seema of Faqeer Colony Boxing Club and Manahil of BBSUL.

The bouts were contested in the 26kg, 30kg, 40kg, 42kg, 46kg and 50kg categories.

Lyari has a long-standing association with boxing and has produced generations of talented fighters. However, limited access to training facilities and resources remains a challenge for many aspiring athletes, particularly girls.

The addition of a portable boxing ring is expected to provide a more suitable training and competition environment, while encouraging greater female participation in a sport deeply rooted in the area's sporting culture.

Sehan Vital Fusion said its broader objective was to promote inclusive grassroots sports and ensure that financial limitations do not prevent young talent from pursuing sporting ambitions.