Pak Govt. approves Rs. 30 million grant for boxing champ

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved a grant of Rs. 30 million for World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight Champion Muhammad Waseem.

Waseem successfully defended his world championship title against Philippines Giemel Magramo on Sunday. He defeated the Filipino boxer by 114 to 112 points in the highly anticipated 12-round bout held in Seoul.

Akhtar Nawaz Gengera, Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Sports Board, has insisted that the money would be spent on the boxer's training as well as funding for his tours. The Pakistan Government has also promised support for the player.

Waseem and government officials would soon be meeting to discuss the next course of action.

"In the meeting, a framework will be devised on how to best utilise the grant," Gengera was quoted as saying by the Dawn, adding that Waseem's wishes and suggestions would be given a priority.

"It will be done as per the wishes of Waseem as [it is his grant], but we (government officials) have to keep a record of things we do," he added.

Waseem had said that the federal government and the Balochistan Government had "promised to help him and commit to other financial help" when he won his first WBC title for Pakistan in July.

The boxer insisted he had felt "extremely disappointed that no one from both governments fulfilled their promise and did not even bother to call him.