Pak women pugilists inspired by Mary Kom

Guwahati, february 12 

Three Pakistan women boxers — Khoushleem Bano, Rukhsana Parveen, and Sofia Javed — are on the verge of scripting history on Indian soil, when they step into the ring for the very first time in an international event on Saturday.

The three pugilists credited the biographical sports film on Mary Kom as the biggest influence to inspire them to take up boxing. “We have been watching Mary Kom and it (movie) has really influenced us,” the trio said.

However, the young Pakistani boxers admitted that it was not an easy journey for them initially, when they informed their family and friends about their decision to take up boxing.

“There are a lot of anti-groups who do not accept us. Initially, our family and friends were not happy with us. But now everyone is supporting, be it our government or the boxing federation,” Khoushleem said.

In fact, the trio picked up boxing only in the early part of 2015. They were trained by coach Nauman Karim — a bronze medallist at the 2003 World Boxing Championships — at Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar for the event.

“We stepped into the boxing ring just eight months ago. I know it will be tough to face an experienced boxer like Mary Kom and others, but our coaches have trained us well,” Khoushleem said.

The 23-year-old, who hails from Gilgit-Baltistan, is looking forward to meeting Mary Kom in the ring. “I am sure I will learn a lot from her,”  said the flyweight boxer. 

Appreciating the Pakistan women boxers, Mary Kom asked Khoushleem, Rukhsana, and Sofia to “keep fighting and never give up halfway”. — IANS