Recent video message of the unbeaten World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight Champion, Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem, in which he expressed disappointment for lack of funds and government support, describes the sorry state of affairs of sports in Pakistan.
It can be viewed in the video that he is displeased with the hollow promises of federal and provincial governments for supporting him in representing Pakistan. He announced his decision that in such a scenario when he has no sponsors to fund his participation in the international events to represent Pakistan, he would consider offers from Unites States of America and South Korea to gain their citizenship and play for them.
Muhammad Waseem, also known as ‘falcon khan’ hails from Quetta and at the moment is the only boxer representing Pakistan at the highest level. When Waseem began his professional career his South Korean promoter borne all his expenses, he rightly expressed his distress that he is Pakistani and government should be sponsoring him and not anyone else. In short span of time Waseem has achieved great successes. In July, he won the WBC silver flyweight title after defeating favourite Jether Oliva; he maintained his title in October when he defeated Panama’s Carlos Melo.
When he won his first WBC title for Pakistan government promised him for financial assistance. But he has repeatedly expressed disappointment that despite his achievements government has not fulfilled promises of supporting him. Last year, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved a grant of Rs30 million for Waseem but he has not received the complete grant. Keep fulfilling the promises aside, no one from concerned authorities bothered to call him.
Waseem told his fans that considering the situation he might be representing Pakistan for the last time in his upcoming fight for the WBC title. He said that it is his passion to represent Pakistan, but unfortunately he won’t be able to do so in absence of sponsors.
It is understood that any boxer requires sponsors to move forward as a professional boxer. Government officials must talk with Waseem in order to fulfill his needs so he keeps representing Pakistan in a sport that has very few prominent Pakistani players.