Big Strides Made in Pakistan in a History-First: Female boxers included in Pakistan’s 36th National Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships – by Sue TL Fox

(JAN 20)  Today is the first day of the 36th National Men’s and the First National Women’s Boxing Championships that are being held at the  WAPDA Sports Complex, in Lahore, Pakistan.  The tournament will run from January 20 to 24, 2018.

In the first time in history, female boxers are included in this event, with  three weight classes that include the 51, 60 an 75 Kilogrammes.  There will be 24 female boxers competing in this event.

Pakistan Boxing Federation president Khalid Mahmood stated before the event took place that all four provinces had confirmed they would be sending women teams to the event but they were still waiting for departmental teams to confirm the women pugilists.

“A number of women boxers will be able to show their skill and talent, the provinces have confirmed 24 women competitors and once the departments finalise their entries, that figure would rise. This will hopefully be the turning point for women’s boxing in the country. The event will provide them with the platform to go further and represent the country at international level and with better coaching and facilities win medals, “ added Khalid.

This announcement had first reported in December of 2017 by the Pakistan Boxing Federation. At that time a statement from Pakistan Boxing Federation stated that the first national women boxing championship would be  held in conjunction with the of the 36th men’s national boxing championship in Lahore. They stated at that time that three weight classes would be added to the event with the female boxers.

In Pakistan it has been said of the sport: “To them, boxing is more than just a sport: it gives freedom, empowerment and the confidence to stand up for themselves. They are the students of Karachi’s first boxing school for girls. It opened in 2015 in Lyari, one of the most dangerous parts of the city. Now, the young Pakistani women who train there feel better able to protect themselves, but more than that, they also know they achieve more than what their conservative society expects of them.” RT/Youtube

On another history first it was reported on the net that three female boxers from Pakistan made history last year when they participated in South Asian Games, where they said that the female boxers,  Khoushleem, Rukhsana and Sofia  were picked through scouting programs by Pakistan Boxing Federation.

They also included from the PBF that they would follow the IOC’s agenda of gender equality, and that they were trying to bring women’s boxing in the limelight before 2020.

A statement made by the PBF said the following:  “IOC has also advised all national federation to maximize women participation in all sports and we are following that guideline. We are hoping for good numbers of participation in first national championship of women boxing,”

This announcement for female in the sport is sure to increase the popularity of the sport for women boxers in Pakistan.