Written by: Waseem Abbas
Posted on: June 14, 2022 | 
| 中文
Nigeria and Afghanistan's boxers fight at Lalik Jan Stadium, Gilgit (Picture credits to Arab News)
Pakistan's Usman Wazeer won the World Boxing Association (WBA)'s Asia Welterweight Championship 2022, held in Gilgit, Pakistan on the 11th of June. Athletes from ten countries, including Pakistan, Thailand, Afghanistan, UAE, Cameroon, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Nigeria and the Philippines participated in the international event. The event was organized by Usman Wazeer, with the support of Force Commander Northern Areas (FCNA) Major General Jawaad Ahmed Qazi. All the matches of the championship were played in the Lalik Jan Stadium, Gilgit. According to an estimate, around ten thousand ecstatic spectators watched the games at the venue, while more than three million people watched the championship live on PTV Sports.
Spectators gathered in large numbers. (Picture credits to Arab News)
Famed Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer is credited with bringing an international championship to Pakistan, and that too in a remote city like Gilgit. According to Usman Wazeer, this was the biggest boxing competition in the history of Pakistan. Usman hoped that this event will be a crucial starting point to build Pakistan's image internationally, and promote tourism and boxing in the region. Usman also thanked the district administration, police, FCNA and others for their continuous support for the success of the event.
Usman Wazeer with the Force Commander Northern Areas (FCNA) Major General Jawaad Ahmed
A total of ten fights were scheduled, three of them were title fights while the other seven were part of the international boxing rankings. Boxers who participated in the championship included Nigeria's Abiola Mashood Atobateli, Thailand's Phatiphan Krungklang, Indonesia's Razi Akbar, South Korea's Taekyum King, Pakistan's Usman Wazeer and Syed Asif Shah Hazara. Usman Wazeer won World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Asia Welterweight title by knocking out Thailand's Phatiphan Krungklang in the second round of the fight. Moreover, Pakistan's Muhammad Asif Hazara won the Super Flyweight title by beating Indonesian boxer Razi Akbar in a unanimous decision in ten rounds. The success of Pakistani boxers in the Asian Championship indicates the rising popularity of boxing in the country. The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, also congratulated Muhammad Asif Hazara on winning the Super Flyweight title and reiterated that there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan. He hoped that with better facilities and encouragement, Pakistani boxers can earn international acclaim.
Muhammad Asif Hazara and Usman Wazeer
The boxing championship held at the Lalik Jan Stadium not only made headlines internationally, but also helped in introducing the spectacular beauty of the mountainous Gilgit Baltistan to the world. In an interview with the Arab News, Nigerian boxer Abiola Mashood Atobateli vowed to visit Pakistan again and travel around the mountains of Gilgit Baltistan. He said: "Pakistan is a very beautiful and peaceful country. It is the center of tourism and I would love to come here again. After the fight and tournament, I will explore different places in Gilgit-Baltistan. I love the landscape, I love the mountains, I love the clouds on the top of mountains." South Korean boxer Taekyum King thanked the people of Pakistan for their hospitality, and vowed to visit the country again.
The finalists of WBA Asia Welterweight championship
There were a few musical performances in order to make the event more attractive for its participants. In one of the videos circulating on the social media sites, the Nigerian boxer participating in the event can be ecstatically seen dancing to a local tune. The famous singer of the Shina language of Gilgit, Salman Paras, and others performed at the event. Thousands of people watched the bouts and cheered for the local hero, Usman Wazeer. Foolproof security arrangements were made by the security agencies at the venue, and there was no entry fee for spectators.
Organizing events like this will inspire the younger generations to follow their passion and earn fame and fortune, instead of treading traditional career paths. The 22-Years old Usman Wazeer, who belongs to the Astore valley of Gilgit Baltistan, went professional in 2018, after playing the game for three years at the junior level. Wazeer is now Welterweight boxing champion in the Middle East and Asia. Nicknamed 'Asian Boy', Usman Wazeer is still undefeated in his professional career of eight fights, five of which he won by knockout and three by decision.
Usman Wazeer after winning the Asia Welterweight title
After the revival of peace in the region, Gilgit Baltistan has seen a sharp rise in the number of sports galas held across the region. Gilgit Baltistan Girls Football League and various winter sports events have already directed the flow of tourists towards the scenic northern valleys of Pakistan. Organizing events like WBA's Boxing Championship and marketing them well, will further increase the inflow of national and international tourists, boosting the image of the country and the economy of the area. It is hoped that with such events, the local talent will be discovered and opportunities provided to showcase their talent. We hope to see many younger kids follow the footsteps of Amir Khan (British Boxer of Pakistani origin), Muhammad Waseem, Asghar Ali Shah, Hussain Shah, Haider Ali, Usman Wazeer, Asif Hazara and other Pakistani boxers who won international acclaim and awards for the country.
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