By Muhammad Asghar Azeem
KARACHI: Pakistan’s first Professional Boxer Muhammad Waseem Monday appealed to the federal government and the private institutions to support him as the Korean Promoter withdraw its support and blocked me on social media.
While talking to media persons at ‘Meet The Press’, jointly organized by Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS) and Karachi Press Club (KPC) here yesterday, Waseem said, “despite the continuous undefeatable performance in eight international fights, promoter told me to bring the invested money on me.”
He said his financial problems are increasing day-by-day and I am fighting for my beloved Pakistan.
Thanking for SJAS and KPC for holding this press conference, Pugilist Muhammad Waseem said, “I belonged to Quetta, Balochistan but Sports journalists of Karachi and KPC warmly welcome me every time, when I visited here.”
Former Chief Minister Balochistan, Sanaullah Zehri did not fulfill his promise made with me, hopeful that newly appointed CM will reconsider my case, added Waseem.
No future of sports seen in Balochistan, he further added.
Waseem said that grant was given by the former Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had been spent on the training and accommodation etc at USA and Korea.
Professional boxing is an expensive game in Pakistan and abroad. My participation in three professional fights every year compulsory but due to my Korean promoter and financial problems, the participation of this year’s competition in April seems to be difficult, Waseem further added.
Boxer said, ‘Promoters are demanding money while sponsors refraining me from displaying Pakistan flag, but I am not disappointed, despite the promoter’s being blocked me on social media, I will win for Pakistan.’
Waseem appealed to the federal government and private sponsors to help him.
Waseem take a jibe at British boxer Amir Khan and said that Amir Khan turns Pakistan for sponsors. I am disappointed that government gave importance to Amir Khan, despite he is not fought a single fight for Pakistan.
Coaching academy given to Amir Khan in Islamabad is inevitable, boxer said.
United States and Korea offered me their citizenship, but Pakistan is my identity therefore I had rejected their offers, Waseem concluded.
President KPC, Ahmed Malik, President SJAS, Tariq Aslam and Secretary Asghar Azeem while addressing said that “Despite having a backward province like Baluchistan, it is a big act of incredible success in the eight professional fights, the government of Pakistan and Balochistan should play its role in solving the problems of the WBC champion Muhammad Waseem.