Lyari Boxers Shine at Crown Championship, Eye Olympic Glory

KARACHI (News Desk): The Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari, turned into a boxing arena on Tuesday as the Crown of Lyari Boxing Championship showcased the area’s emerging talent, with organizers eyeing a bigger dream — seeing Lyari’s boxers at the Olympics.

Organized by the Haamid Ismail Foundation in collaboration with the Pakistan Boxing Federation, Sindh Boxing Association and Karachi Division Boxing Association, the championship drew young pugilists across 13 weight categories.

The event was attended by office bearers of boxing associations, Lyari boxing legend Allah Bakhsh and other sports personalities. Popular Sindhi singer Asghar Khoso also appeared to cheer the athletes.

Founder of Haamid Ismail Foundation, Haamid Ismail, said Lyari has always been Pakistan’s boxing hub, but talent often goes unnoticed due to financial constraints and lack of facilities.

“Our dream is to see talented young boxers from Lyari excel at national and international competitions and ultimately represent Pakistan at the Olympic Games,” he said.

Ismail said his foundation, which works in education, clean water and community welfare, considers sports development and supporting underprivileged athletes a core priority.

The championship featured four women’s and nine men’s categories. In the women’s bouts, Sehar Raees (48kg), Bakhtawar (51kg), Ayesha Turk (54kg) and Asma (57kg) emerged winners.

Among men, Faizan (48kg), Najaf (51kg), Arsalan Taimor (54kg), Kamran (57kg), Naseeb Ullah (60kg), Zubair (63.5kg), Hasan Ali (67kg), Faqeer Muhammad (75kg) and M. Muneer (80kg) clinched titles.

Winners were awarded Rs50,000 while runners-up received Rs20,000.

Organizers said the aim was to provide a national-level platform to underprivileged athletes from Lyari and help revive boxing in Pakistan.