Duped again?

By Rabia Ali, Rafay Mahmood and Samia Saleem

Karachi: Tears rolled down the cheeks of former international boxer Murad Bux when news was received that the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament was going to take place...in Lyari. "I missed the lively ambiance surrounding the ring, the cheering crowd, and the thrill of seeing the boxers punch one another," Bux told Kolachi.

Now in his 60s but continuing to serve as a boxing coach in Lyari, Bux had represented Pakistan at international boxing tournaments during his heyday, with some of his most memorable ones being those hosted in the city. Over the passage of time, international tournaments became rarities, and it was no surprise that there was genuine excitement amongst members of the pugilist community in Lyari.

Like many residents of Lyari, however, Bux never got the chance to step foot inside the venue, KPT Benazir Sports Complex. "There were vacant seats in the complex but the guards wouldn't let us in. Neither were common people let in nor were members of local boxing clubs allowed to enter," Bux told Kolachi. "The tournament was meant to change the image of Lyari, but the eventual picture was a deceptive one as residents of the area weren't even allowed in to witness the competition. Only the favourites of the organisers were allowed to enter the venue," Bux said.

Nawab Baloch, another boxing coach in his 60s, concurred with Bux's account. "What is the point of such boxing championships, when neither my students nor I are allowed to enter the premises, despite there being a number of unoccupied seats," Baloch said. With over 35 years of experience in training street boxers who made it to national level, Nawab Baloch believed that events such as the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament bring prosperity only to the 'favourites,' while street boxing continues to be neglected.

Shah Naeem Zafar, the director of the KPT Benazir Sports Complex, said that the blame for the fiasco rested squarely on the organisers of the tournament. "Cards for the event were only given to selected people. Meanwhile, fans of boxing were deprived of a chance to watch the tournament, despite the fact that it was being held for their uplift."

Karachi South Boxing Association (KSBA) Secretary General Asghar Muhammad Baloch refuted the notion that such discrimination took place on purpose. "It is true that some people weren't able to see the event, but it was because of the fact that the invitation cards had been handed out days before the event. Those who had taken them at the time did not turn up, thus depriving those who really wanted to be a part of it." Despite the controversy, some pugilists of the area believe that hosting an international event in Lyari is in itself a success. "In a situation where many national teams are afraid to come and play in the county due to security reasons, as has happened in cricket, we hosted an international event with the participation of about 22 countries," boasted Ali Bux Baloch, former boxing champion and coach of the Pakistan boxing team."People in Karachi have long considered Lyari as a place where gang wars and conflicts are the norm; however, this is not the case. People here are keen to indulge in productive activities, if given a chance" said Asghar Baloch. "We broke the taboos associated with us" he added.