Hua Hin Muay Thai event backs youth safety

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal advanced to the final of the PN Fleet Club Open International Squash Championship after a commanding semifinal victory, while fellow Pakistani Asim Khan bowed out of the tournament following a loss to Egypt’s Salman Khalil. Competing at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex in Karachi, Nasir Iqbal delivered a dominant display against Egypt’s Yasee El Shafey, securing a straight-games victory in just 24 minutes. He won the match 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 to book his place in the final. Earlier, Asim Khan’s campaign ended after he was defeated 3-1 by Egypt’s Salman Khalil in the other semifinal. The Egyptian progressed to the title clash with the win. The $41,000 prize-money tournament, organized by the Sindh Squash Association, will conclude with the final on Tuesday at 4:00 pm, where Nasir Iqbal will take on Salman Khalil for the championship title. Nasir’s impressive performance has kept Pakistan’s title hopes alive, with the experienced squash player producing consistent displays throughout the tournament.

Veteran Pakistani boxing coach and former international boxer Arshad Hussain has praised Fatima Zehra for securing a rare bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, saying her achievement reflects the untapped potential of Pakistan’s female boxers. Arshad, who has himself competed at the Commonwealth Games, said winning a medal at the prestigious event was a major accomplishment, particularly in women’s boxing. Speaking about Fatima’s performance, he said she had to overcome strong international competition and win two bouts to secure the bronze medal. He stressed that athletes competing at the Commonwealth level face opponents from countries against whom Pakistani boxers often have limited experience. Arshad also called for greater attention to women’s boxing in Pakistan. He said the country has several promising female fighters who could achieve significant success if provided with proper coaching, international exposure and regular training opportunities. He identified Fatima Zehra, Malaika and Maria among the boxers with considerable potential. According to him, these athletes should be given opportunities to train abroad for several months so they can improve their technical skills and gain valuable international experience. The veteran coach also expressed disappointment over boxer Qudratullah’s decision to leave Pakistan after participating in the Commonwealth Games. He described him as a talented fighter and questioned the circumstances that led to his disappearance from the national setup. While assessing the performance of Pakistan’s male boxers at the Games, Arshad said they produced competitive performances but lacked the required technical and physical sharpness. He maintained that better preparation could help them compete more effectively at the international level. Arshad further highlighted the need for sustained government support for boxing. He recalled Pakistan’s strong history in the sport and argued that short training camps were insufficient to prepare athletes for major international competitions. He questioned how Pakistan could expect medals when boxers were given only a 20-day camp before the Commonwealth Games, saying even much longer preparation does not guarantee success at that level. Looking ahead to the Asian Games, Arshad remained cautious about Pakistan’s medal chances. He said the competition would be significantly tougher, with major boxing nations including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Japan, China and the Philippines expected to compete.

BANGKOK: Pakistan celebrated another proud moment on the international sporting stage as taekwondo athlete Ehsanullah Mehsud captured the gold medal at the Thailand International Taekwondo Championship after an impressive run through the competition. Mehsud sealed the title with a commanding victory over his Sri Lankan opponent in the final, completing an unbeaten campaign that showcased his skill, determination and consistency against top regional competitors. The Pakistani fighter began his journey with a confident win over a competitor from Kazakhstan in the opening round, setting the tone for an outstanding tournament. He then produced one of his best performances in the semi-finals by defeating an Indian opponent to secure a place in the championship match. Carrying that momentum into the final, Mehsud delivered another composed display to overcome the Sri Lankan contender and clinch the coveted gold medal for Pakistan. Speaking after his victory, Mehsud thanked the people of Pakistan for their prayers and unwavering support throughout the tournament. He dedicated his gold medal to the nation, saying the encouragement he received from fans inspired him to perform at his best on the international stage. “I am grateful for the love, prayers and motivation from the people of Pakistan. This gold medal belongs to the entire nation,” he said after the medal ceremony. The achievement drew widespread praise from across the country. Provincial Assembly member Asif Mehsud congratulated the athlete, saying his remarkable performance had brought pride to both Pakistan and Waziristan by raising the country’s flag on the international stage. Recognizing his success, Asif Mehsud also announced a job for the newly crowned champion, describing the gold medal as a reward for years of dedication and hard work. The latest triumph adds to Pakistan’s growing list of achievements in international taekwondo and highlights the emergence of talented athletes capable of competing successfully on the global stage. Sports enthusiasts hope Mehsud’s victory will inspire more young athletes to pursue martial arts and represent Pakistan with distinction in future international competitions.