Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday approved a Rs30 million grant for World Boxing Council (WBC) silver flyweight champion Muhammad Waseem. According to a spokesman for the Pakistan Sports Board, the money will be spent on the boxer’s training as well as funding for his tours. The federal government has also promised support for the player. He said a meeting with Waseem and government officials would soon be held to discuss the next course of action. “In the meeting, a framework will be devised on how to best utilise the grant,” he said, adding Waseem’s wishes and suggestions would be given a priority. “It will be done as per the wishes of Waseem as it is his grant, but we have to keep a record of things we do,” the spokesman added. Pakistan pugilist Waseem successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) silver flyweight title after defeating Giemel Megramo of the Philippines on Sunday. This is Waseem’s fifth fight of his ongoing professional career; the boxer has so far proved to be unbeatable. Speaking to media, Waseem had said that when he won his first WBC title for Pakistan in July, the federal government and the Balochistan Government had “promised to help him and commit to other financial help.” He added he had felt “extremely disappointed that no one from both governments fulfilled their promise and did not even bother to call him.”