Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday denied allegations of lack of funding and support by the unbeaten World Boxing Council (WBC) silver flyweight champion Muhammad Waseem of Pakistan. A statement released by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) gave a breakdown of funds provided to the boxer, amounting to around Rs28 million since 2014. “Rs2m were provided to Waseem for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Rs1m for 2014 Asian Games and Rs24.675 million for preparation and training of WBC professional bouts,” lists the statement.

Millions of rupees were further spent by the government for his training and coaching in Pakistan and abroad, adds the statement. “This evidently shows that this boxer has been looked after by the government and never been deprived.” On Monday, the country’s ace boxer had announced his decision “of accepting offers from other countries and playing for them” through a video message, saying that he had no sponsors to fund his participation in the international boxing events and represent Pakistan. Waseem, who hails from Quetta, had told his fans that his upcoming fight for the WBC title might be the last time he represents Pakistan.

Urging Waseem to continue playing for Pakistan, the IPC Ministry said that the boxer’s statement of representing South Korea was, therefore, not justified as the government of Pakistan has and will continue to support the “national hero”. In July, Waseem won the WBC silver flyweight title after defeating favourite Jether Oliva from the Philippines. He maintained his title in October when he defeated Panama’s Carlos Melo. Waseem, Pakistan’s only professional boxer, began his professional career in South Korea last year and won the Korean Bantamweight title on debut. In August last year, Waseem had lamented that Korean promoter Andy Kim had sponsored and borne all his expenses instead of the Pakistani government. “I’m a Pakistani, not Korean; so why is my government not providing me with the required patronage?” he had asked.

Published in Daily Times, November 23^rd 2017.