Skip to main content
NTv Online

Sports

Sports
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Other sports
  • Tennis
  • Bangla Version
  • Archive
  • Bangladesh
  • World
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Comment
  • Education
  • Life
  • Health
  • Art & Culture
  • Election
  • বাংলা
  • Bangladesh
  • World
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Comment
  • Education
  • Life
  • Health
  • Art & Culture
  • Election
  • বাংলা
  • Bangla Version
  • Archive
Follow
  • Sports
AFP
14 February, 2016, 15:14
Update: 14 February, 2016, 15:14
More News
Most Japan firms say Games should be cancelled or postponed
SA Games Archery: Suma, Sohel, Shana win gold for Bangladesh
Archery brings 3 more gold medals for Bangladesh
SA Games: Archery brings 8th gold medal for Bangladesh
SA Games: Athletes bring three more gold medals for Bangladesh

SA Games: Gloves on as Pakistan women boxers make history

AFP
14 February, 2016, 15:14
Update: 14 February, 2016, 15:14
Sofia Javed (left), Rukhsana Parveen (centre), and Khoushleem Bano (right). Photo courtesy: Dawn

Shillong: Three Pakistani women are making history this weekend as they step into the boxing ring at the South Asian Games in India, the first time the conservative Muslim nation has fielded women boxers internationally.

Khoushleem Bano, Rukhsana Parveen and Sofia Javed say to achieve their dream of competing they had to battle conservative groups in Pakistan who believe women should not participate in the sport.

‘It was not an easy path for us when we shared our idea of women taking up the macho sport in a conservative country like Pakistan. There were a lot of anti-groups who didn’t accept us,’ 23-year-old Bano said in the northeast Indian city of Shillong.

Bano’s hopes of winning a medal were cut short on Saturday night when she lost her first fight to Nepal’s Minu Gurung in the fly-weight (51kg) category.

‘It was a good experience for me. I will come back stronger next time,’ Bano told AFP.

Javed will take to the ring for the first time later Sunday against India’s Pooja Rani in the 75kg category, while Parveen will glove up against Sri Lanka’s M. Vidushika Prabadhi in the evening.

The trio only took up boxing in early 2015 and have been trained by their coach Nauman Karim — a bronze medallist at the 2003 World Boxing Championship — for the South Asian Games.

They credit India’s Mary Kom, a five-time world champion who is also competing at the 12th South Asian Games, including a biographical film of the Olympic bronze medallist as inspiring them to take up the sport.

‘My only dream was to represent Pakistan. I only want to make my country proud in the field of the sport. I have achieved the first step despite all odds,’ Bano said.

Parveen was formerly a member of the Pakistan World Cup team for Indian wresting-style sport kabaddi, with the team winning bronze in 2014.

The 60kg category boxer from Multan in Punjab province said she took up the challenge after learning that Pakistan ‘had no woman boxers’.

Most Read
  1. Get all sports-related updates under one umbrella
  2. History-maker SAFF Champions now role models for hundreds of girls
  3. Most Japan firms say Games should be cancelled or postponed
  4. Country's football legend Badal Roy passes away
  5. Corona curbs cricketing clash, creates concern
  6. Thank you captain, tigers win series
Most Read
  1. Get all sports-related updates under one umbrella
  2. History-maker SAFF Champions now role models for hundreds of girls
  3. Most Japan firms say Games should be cancelled or postponed
  4. Country's football legend Badal Roy passes away
  5. Corona curbs cricketing clash, creates concern
  6. Thank you captain, tigers win series

Follow Us

Alhaj Mohammad Mosaddak Ali

Chairman & Managing Director

NTV Online, BSEC Building (Level-8), 102 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215 Telephone: +880255012281 up to 5, Fax: +880255012286 up to 7

Browse by Category

  • About NTV
  • NTV Programmes
  • Advertisement
  • Web Mail
  • NTV FTV
  • Satellite Downlink
  • Europe Subscription
  • USA Subscription
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact

Our Newsletter

To stay on top of the ever-changing world of business, subscribe now to our newsletters.

* We hate spam as much as you do

Alhaj Mohammad Mosaddak Ali

Chairman & Managing Director

NTV Online, BSEC Building (Level-8), 102 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215 Telephone: +880255012281 up to 5, Fax: +880255012286 up to 7

Reproduction of any content, news or article published on this website is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved