Boxing: Women’s event planned amid hardliners’ wrath

Pakistan Boxing Federation to hold exhibition matches.

KARACHI: Wary of a backlash from religious groups, the country’s federation is planning small steps at a time in a bid to promote women’s boxing.

After being asked by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) to start a women’s boxing programme in 1996, the plan failed due to protests by hardliners who opposed the idea of females gearing up to step in the ring.

However, after a lapse of almost 16 years, the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) – facing the rage of conservative groups but surrounded by talented women – has decided to hold exhibition matches
in April.

The PBF Secretary Akram Khan said a proper camp will be held after security arrangements have been made and added that the formation of a women’s wing is also on the cards. However, Khan warned that the situation will be reviewed if a strong reaction follows the exhibition matches at the National Championship in Lahore.

“We’re introducing women’s boxing gradually,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “In the past, it caused a very strong reaction so we’re trying to avoid that.

“But we’re also making sure that women boxers get a chance to show their skills and get equal opportunity. They have a lot of talent and girls are even participating in the PBF juniors programs now.

“Our concern is acceptance by people. Many girls participate in the under-14 and under-10 events but their participation fades away at the senior level due to social pressures.”

Meanwhile, the national camp coach Abdul Majid Brohi, who runs a boxing club in Lyari, said many girls come to train for the sport, pointing out seven-year-old Fatima Muhammad as his most talented pupil.

“The negligible scope is the reason these girls stop boxing,” said Brohi. “Lack of events and matches is the reason why boxing isn’t chosen as a career.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2012.