Hardliners delivering body-blows to resurgence of women's boxing in Pak

Islamabad, Jan 30 (ANI): The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) is reportedly taking gradual initiatives to promote women's boxing in the country, in the backdrop of a back lash by hardliners who are opposed to the idea of females gearing up to step in the ring.

After being asked by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) to start a women's boxing programme in 1996, the plan failed because of religious groups' opposition to the move.

However, after a lapse of almost 16 years, the country's board has now decided to hold exhibition matches despite facing the criticism and anger of conservative groups, The Express Tribune reports.

The PBF Secretary Akram Khan said a proper camp will be held after security arrangements have been made, though he insisted 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. In the past, it caused a very strong reaction so we're trying to avoid that," Khan said.

"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," he added.

Meanwhile, the national camp coach Abdul Majid Brohi, who runs a boxing club in Lyari, said many talented girls have already started coming for practice.

But he added: "The negligible scope is the reason these girls stop boxing. Lack of events and matches are the reasons why boxing isn't chosen as a career." (ANI)