Pakistan's 17-member boxing squad heads to China for training and competition

After enduring years of neglect due to lack of state support, Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has taken a commendable initiative by sending a 17-member boxing contingent to China for training and competition.

The squad departed from Islamabad to Xinjiang on Sunday night for a ten-day training camp that also includes international competition.

"Yes, we sent a 17-member contingent to China last night for training. The PBF has managed this trip entirely on its own," PBF President Col Nasir Tung told Nukta.

“We had already signed an MoU with the Chinese Boxing Federation. They will provide boarding and lodging for our boxers during their stay and when their team visits us, we will reciprocate,” Nasir added.

He emphasized that a significant effort was made to select the best available talent.

"Our boxers will participate in a joint training camp, alongside athletes from other countries. This exposure will boost their confidence and help them refine their skills,” he said.

Nasir pointed out that the tour will serve as crucial preparation for upcoming international duties.

"This experience will help them gear up for major events. Pakistan is set to host the South Asian Games and we also have Olympic qualifiers ahead,” Nasir said.

Despite these efforts the PBF continues to struggle with limited resources.

"You know the state is not backing us. We do what we can and we organize events but training camps are difficult to manage because we do not even have our own hostel," Nasir lamented.

The contingent includes notable names such as Asian bronze medalist Ayesha Mumtaz, experienced boxers Malaika Zahid, Fatima Zehra and Mohammad Faheem who has previously participated in Olympic qualifiers.

PBF Secretary Irfan Younis is leading the contingent with Raheel Adnan serving as manager while Khizar Ullah Jan and Mohammad Naveed Waheed will serve as coaches.

Pakistan has faced a decline in boxing over recent years. The country last participated in the Olympics in 2004 Athens Games and since then has struggled to make a return. Hopes were pinned on Zohaib Rasheed, a promising boxer but he disappeared in Italy during the Olympic qualifiers last year handing a significant blow to Pakistan’s Olympic dreams.

Boxing contingent:

Irfan Khan, Zameer Ali, Huzafia Raheel, Ayesha Mumtaz, Maria, Afra Khurram, Malaika Zahid, Mohammad Yousuf, Raheel Adnan, Fatima Zehra, Sehar Atif, Mohammad Faheem, Mazhar, Qudratullah.