Three Pakistani women are making history this weekend as they step into the boxing ring at the South Asian Games in India, the first time the conservative Muslim nation has fielded women boxers internationally.
Khoushleem Bano, Rukhsana Parveen and Sofia Javed say to achieve their dream of competing they had to battle conservative groups in Pakistan who believe women should not participate in the sport.
"It was not an easy path for us when we shared our idea of women taking up the macho sport in a conservative country like Pakistan. There were a lot of anti-groups who didn't accept us," 23-year-old Bano said in the northeast Indian city of Shillong.
Bano's hopes of winning a medal were cut short on Saturday night when she lost her first fight to Nepal's Minu Gurung in the fly-weight (51kg) category.
"It was a good experience for me. I will come back stronger next time," Bano told AFP.
Javed will take to the ring for the first time later Sunday against India's Pooja Rani in the 75kg category, while Parveen will glove up against Sri Lanka's M. Vidushika Prabadhi in the evening.
The trio only took up boxing in early 2015 and have been trained by their coach Nauman Karim -- a bronze medallist at the 2003 World Boxing Championship -- for the South Asian Games.
They credit India's Mary Kom, a five-time world champion who is also competing at the 12th South Asian Games, including a biographical film of the Olympic bronze medallist as inspiring them to take up the sport.
"My only dream was to represent Pakistan. I only want to make my country proud in the field of the sport. I have achieved the first step despite all odds," Bano said.
Parveen was formerly a member of the Pakistan World Cup team for Indian wresting-style sport kabaddi, with the team winning bronze in 2014.
The 60kg category boxer from Multan in Punjab province said she took up the challenge after learning that Pakistan "had no woman boxers".
AFP
Sun Feb 14 2016
![Gloves on as Pakistan women boxers make history Gloves on as Pakistan women boxers make history](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-02/41455462967_SofiaJaved.jpg)
Pakistani boxers Sofia Javed (L), Rukhsana Parveen (C) and Khoushleem Bano pose for a photograph during the 12th South Asian Games 2016 in Shillong on February 14, 2016. - AFP photo / STR
![Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688542_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
![MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723687760_AedyFadlyRamli.jpg)
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?
![Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41705320699_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok
Pada 8 pagi, ringgit meningkat sedikit kepada 4.4150/4250 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.4170/4235 ketika ditutup pada Rabu.
#AWANIRingkas 15 Ogos 2024 | 9 AM
Berikut merupakan rangkuman berita setakat 9 pagi, 15 Ogos 2024
1️⃣ TPM wakili Malaysia di EMM di Peru
2️⃣ Misteri kehilangan Nidza Afham
3️⃣ Rundingan gencatan Gaza di Qatar hari ini
#awaniringkas
1️⃣ TPM wakili Malaysia di EMM di Peru
2️⃣ Misteri kehilangan Nidza Afham
3️⃣ Rundingan gencatan Gaza di Qatar hari ini
#awaniringkas
Belia & pekerjaan: Pengangguran belia global menurun, cabaran tetap ada
Walaupun kadar pengangguran belia global menurun, kebimbangan meningkat mengenai belia NEET (tidak bekerja, belajar, atau menjalani latihan). Laporan Pertubuhan Buruh Antarabangsa (ILO) mendedahkan jurang dan cabaran besar yang terus menghantui belia, terutama di wilayah tertentu dan kalangan wanita muda. Bagaimana untuk menganalisis tren global dalam konteks keadaan tempatan bagi memastikan penemuan antarabangsa dapat disesuaikan dengan strategi nasional?
AWANI Pagi I UiTM 25 Tahun, Apa Seterusnya?
Dalam meraikan pencapaian UiTM yang telah mencapai usia 25 tahun, ia kekal sebagai universiti teramai melahirkan graduan yang menyumbang tenaga, dan kemahiran merentas industri di Malaysia.
Ikuti AWANI Pagi untuk kita ikuti bagaimana UiTM mahu kekal melahirkan graduan graduan relevan dalam pasaran dunia yang semakin berubah.
Ikuti AWANI Pagi untuk kita ikuti bagaimana UiTM mahu kekal melahirkan graduan graduan relevan dalam pasaran dunia yang semakin berubah.
![SUHAKAM gesa penggantungan semua operasi pengusiran Bajau Laut SUHAKAM gesa penggantungan semua operasi pengusiran Bajau Laut](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/51670516991_suhakam.jpg)
SUHAKAM gesa penggantungan semua operasi pengusiran Bajau Laut
SUHAKAM gesa penggantungan segera semua operasi dan aktiviti pengusiran yang sedang berlaku di Semporna.
![Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul: Tiada KO, tiada pemenang, tetapi bawa pulang RM200 juta Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul: Tiada KO, tiada pemenang, tetapi bawa pulang RM200 juta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/51623046835_Mayweather.jpg)
Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul: Tiada KO, tiada pemenang, tetapi bawa pulang RM200 juta
Pertarungan pertunjukan di antara bintang tinju Floyd Mayweather Jr dan YouTuber sensasi Logan Paul berakhir dengan tiada pemenang.
![KO pusingan pertama, Jake Paul tumbangkan bekas petarung UFC Ben Askren KO pusingan pertama, Jake Paul tumbangkan bekas petarung UFC Ben Askren](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-04/41618729754_jakeydino.jpg)
KO pusingan pertama, Jake Paul tumbangkan bekas petarung UFC Ben Askren
Jake Paul mengejutkan dunia sukan tempur apabila menewaskan bekas jaguh MMA, Ben Askren dalam perlawanan tinju, pada Ahad.
![Mayweather umum 'keluar persaraan' tahun depan, sedang bekerjasama dengan UFC Mayweather umum 'keluar persaraan' tahun depan, sedang bekerjasama dengan UFC](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-11/61574467821_FloydMayweatherDa.jpg)
Mayweather umum 'keluar persaraan' tahun depan, sedang bekerjasama dengan UFC
Bekas juara lima kategori itu membuat pengumuman tersebut di akaun Instagramnya selepas mengadakan perbincangan dengan Presiden UFC, Dana White.
![Floyd Mayweather umum 'rematch' dengan Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather umum 'rematch' dengan Manny Pacquiao](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-07/51563957116_950x600.jpg)
Floyd Mayweather umum 'rematch' dengan Manny Pacquiao
Floyd Mayweather mengumumkan akan bertarung semula dengan seteru lamanya, Manny Pacquiao dalam satu perlawanan pertunjukan di Tokyo, Jepun.
![Pacquiao kepada Mayweather: 'Rematch dengan saya kalau mahu terus relevan' Pacquiao kepada Mayweather: 'Rematch dengan saya kalau mahu terus relevan'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-07/51563957116_950x600.jpg)
Pacquiao kepada Mayweather: 'Rematch dengan saya kalau mahu terus relevan'
Manny Pacquiao mencabar Floyd Mayweather Jr untuk mengadakan rematch (pertarungan semula) dengannya jika bekas juara tinju dari Amerika Syarikat itu mahu kekal relevan.
![Manny Pacquiao janji aksi penuh bertenaga, Matthysse tak gentar berentap idola sendiri Manny Pacquiao janji aksi penuh bertenaga, Matthysse tak gentar berentap idola sendiri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/51524217022_MannyPacquiao.jpg)
Manny Pacquiao janji aksi penuh bertenaga, Matthysse tak gentar berentap idola sendiri
Kuala Lumpur bakal menjadi tumpuan dunia 15 Julai depan apabila Manny Pacquiao bakal berentap dengan pemegang tali pinggang Kejuaraan Welterweight WBA, Lucas Matthysse.
![Profil peninju Floyd Mayweather dan Manny Pacquiao Profil peninju Floyd Mayweather dan Manny Pacquiao](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-05/41430928864_295x200.jpg)
Profil peninju Floyd Mayweather dan Manny Pacquiao
Profil peninju Floyd Mayweather dan Manny Pacquiao termasuk rekod perlawanan terkini dan pendapatan serangan paling tinggi di dunia.