The Quint: These Girls From Pakistan Have Overcome Obstacles to Pursue Boxing
- 5 years ago
In the poor locality of Lyari in Karachi, Pakistan, many girls have overcome several societal obstacles to pursue their passion for boxing.
The Young Lyari Health and Boxing Club in the city has become a hub for more than two dozen determined young female boxers, where they are seen quickly changing from their traditional clothing to don tracksuits for training.
16-year-old Sarah Baloch, who became the inspiration for many other girls to join the club, harbours dreams of playing at the Olympics one day. If that dream is realised, it would make her the first ever woman boxer from the country to take part in the mega sporting event.
These girls believe that boxing should not be the confine of men. Anisa Asghar, one of the aspiring boxers in the locality, points out that people who disallow women to participate in sporting activities are wrong in their thinking.
While the community of Lyari has taken great strides in terms of promoting boxing for women, it still constitutes an isolated case.
As is claimed by Doda Khan Bhutto, the President of Pakistan Boxing Federation, himself, the country still suffers from a lack of funds and infrastructure when it comes to boxing - thereby making the sport to be a distant dream for many Pakistani girls.
Video: AP
Music: Big Bang Fuzz
The Young Lyari Health and Boxing Club in the city has become a hub for more than two dozen determined young female boxers, where they are seen quickly changing from their traditional clothing to don tracksuits for training.
16-year-old Sarah Baloch, who became the inspiration for many other girls to join the club, harbours dreams of playing at the Olympics one day. If that dream is realised, it would make her the first ever woman boxer from the country to take part in the mega sporting event.
These girls believe that boxing should not be the confine of men. Anisa Asghar, one of the aspiring boxers in the locality, points out that people who disallow women to participate in sporting activities are wrong in their thinking.
While the community of Lyari has taken great strides in terms of promoting boxing for women, it still constitutes an isolated case.
As is claimed by Doda Khan Bhutto, the President of Pakistan Boxing Federation, himself, the country still suffers from a lack of funds and infrastructure when it comes to boxing - thereby making the sport to be a distant dream for many Pakistani girls.
Video: AP
Music: Big Bang Fuzz