Pakistani boxer Naimatullah aims to turn pro after Olympic flop
Following a disappointing run at the AIBA World Olympic Qualifiers in Baku, where all five boxers from Pakistan failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics, Naimatullah, who was part of the contingent in Azerbaijan, wants to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Muhammad Waseem by turning pro.
Following a disappointing run at the AIBA World Olympic Qualifiers in Baku, where all five boxers from Pakistan failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics, Naimatullah, who was part of the contingent in Azerbaijan, wants to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Muhammad Waseem by turning pro.
The 23-year-old, Quetta-based pugilist believes it was a tough year for Pakistan boxing and was left utterly heartbroken after losing his first bout in the 56kg event.
“It was just sad and we couldn’t really do much about it,” Naimatullah told The Express Tribune as the team returned from Baku yesterday. “I know it’s going to be a long way for me, but I want to start out a career in professional boxing just like Waseem.”
When asked about whether turning pro would mean an end to his Olympic dreams, Naimatullah replied, “Professional boxing is the way forward but I know it will not be easy. As for my Olympic dream, professional boxers can now compete at the Olympics as well so no harm there.”
The 2010 South Asian Games gold-medallist said that the reason behind Pakistan’s poor performance at the Rio Olympics qualifiers was lack of preparation where the pugilists only had 25 days to train before going to Baku.
“You can’t get medals by just training for 20-25 days. India qualified for the Olympics but that was because they had been training abroad and even had better facilities,” he added.
In Baku, Pakistani boxers landed just two days before the bouts and Naimatullah felt the Pakistan contingent, which fielded Ahmed Ali (60kg), Syed Asif (52kg), Awais Ali (81kg) and Tanveer Ahmed (75kg), did not get enough time to adjust to the conditions.
“It takes time to acclimatise to the environment; we just got up from here and left for Baku, while other boxers were training there weeks before the event,” said the boxer.
(Source: Express Tribune)
(Source: Express Tribune)
