By Musarrat Arif
KARACHI: The Prime Minister Youth Talent Hunt Boxing event, hosted by the University of Karachi, concluded with resounding success, with the Karachi region emerging victorious in both male and female categories, showcasing exceptional performance and securing first place.
The competition, initiated four months ago, brought together around 750 male and female boxers from across Sindh. The three-day final rounds concluded on Friday, followed by a prize distribution ceremony at the KU Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium. Top performers in both team and individual categories were awarded cash prizes and trophies, while mentors received Rs100,000. Organizers and technical staff were presented with commemorative shields in recognition of their efforts.
In the women’s team category, Karachi claimed first place, Hyderabad secured second, and Shaheed Benazirabad finished third. In the men’s event, Karachi again topped the podium, with Shaheed Benazirabad and Hyderabad taking second and third places respectively. The awards were presented by Sindh Coordinator for the Prime Minister Youth Program, Fahad Shafiq, and KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi.
Addressing the audience, Fahad Shafiq emphasized that investing in youth is not an expense but an investment in the nation’s future. He praised the University of Karachi’s long-standing leadership in promoting sports and highlighted the opportunities the Prime Minister Youth Program provides for young people to showcase their talents and skills.
Shafiq underlined the government’s commitment to offering equal opportunities across sectors to empower youth for national development. He noted that nearly 70 percent of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 35, making the youth the backbone of the nation, and urged them to make full use of these initiatives to play a constructive role in building the country.
Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi added that promoting sports at the school and college level is essential for producing quality athletes. He stressed that there should be no room for gender discrimination and that merit-based selection and serious governmental efforts are vital for genuine progress in sports.
He further highlighted the importance of cultivating a sports culture in Pakistan, stating that alongside academics, extracurricular activities—particularly sports—play a crucial role in the physical, mental, and moral development of young people. He reiterated the need for gender equality, noting that women constitute nearly half of the population, and their active participation in sports is essential for national progress.
The KU Vice-Chancellor welcomed the initiative, noting that such events not only provide platforms for youth to display their abilities but also instill values like discipline, resilience, and teamwork.
Professor Dr Basit Ansari, the event’s focal person and organizing secretary, explained that boxing trials were held across five major regions of Sindh—Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Shaheed Benazirabad. Around 750 athletes participated, with five male and five female teams formed from each region, resulting in 10 teams competing in the Provincial Boxing League.
Matches were held at the University of Karachi’s gymnasium, and based on individual performances, two representative teams comprising gold and silver medalists will be selected to represent Sindh and Karachi University in the upcoming National League. Earlier, Dr Syed Asim Ali of KU highlighted the university’s efforts to guide students and promote sports.
“Our university hosts the largest student population in the country. We are making comprehensive efforts for their academic and personal development. These aren’t just sports competitions—they are powerful tools for empowering Pakistani youth and nurturing their physical and mental growth,” he said.
