Pakistan’s boxing squad for the 2010 Asian Games

Published November 10, 2010
Amir Khan (64kg) 
DOB: 15/08/1991
How it all started: I started boxing at the age of 13 after attending the Muslim Azad Boxing Club in Lyari, Karachi.
Training and diet: I am not following a particular diet but train really hard, so everything I eat gets burned fast.
Favourite boxer: Mehrullah Lassi (Pakistan) and brother Samiullah
Toughest opponent: Never came across someone who I would rate highly.
Amir Khan (64kg) DOB: 15/08/1991 How it all started: I started boxing at the age of 13 after attending the Muslim Azad Boxing Club in Lyari, Karachi. Training and diet: I am not following a particular diet but train really hard, so everything I eat gets burned fast. Favourite boxer: Mehrullah Lassi (Pakistan) and brother Samiullah Toughest opponent: Never came across someone who I would rate highly.
Arshad Hussain: (69kg)
DOB: 17/7/1990, Karachi 
How it all started: I was a big fan of Pakistan's boxing great and Olympian Jan Mohammad Baloch. I myself got into boxing after being pushed into the sport by my cousins who must have seen some potential. I have trained at the RCB club but after I got noticed by the Pakistan Air Force, they have been a great support in preparing me for international level boxing.
Training and diet: I train for 4 hour
Arshad Hussain: (69kg) DOB: 17/7/1990, Karachi How it all started: I was a big fan of Pakistan's boxing great and Olympian Jan Mohammad Baloch. I myself got into boxing after being pushed into the sport by my cousins who must have seen some potential. I have trained at the RCB club but after I got noticed by the Pakistan Air Force, they have been a great support in preparing me for international level boxing. Training and diet: I train for 4 hour
Mirwais Khan (91+kg)
DOB: 13/10/1986, Chaman
How it all started: I started when I was 15 from the Akbar Boxing Club. My family was really passionate about boxing so it was a natural choice. Saif Khan and Abdul Wali were my idols growing up.
Training and diet: Right now it is 24 hours of training and focusing for the Asian Games. I am lucky weight is not an issue for me so I eat everything that's healthy, mostly mutton. How you cook your food also
Mirwais Khan (91+kg) DOB: 13/10/1986, Chaman How it all started: I started when I was 15 from the Akbar Boxing Club. My family was really passionate about boxing so it was a natural choice. Saif Khan and Abdul Wali were my idols growing up. Training and diet: Right now it is 24 hours of training and focusing for the Asian Games. I am lucky weight is not an issue for me so I eat everything that's healthy, mostly mutton. How you cook your food also
Muhammad Waseem (49kg)
DOB: 29/08/1987, Quetta
How it all started: I started boxing at the age of seven from the Boxing Club of Pakistan.
Training and diet: I usually train 4 hours a day but have been working overtime in preparations for the 2010 Asian Games. I have to be particularly careful in my weight category and so my diet is mostly made up of eggs, cereals, milk and fruit.
Favourite boxer: Mike Tyson
Tou
Muhammad Waseem (49kg) DOB: 29/08/1987, Quetta How it all started: I started boxing at the age of seven from the Boxing Club of Pakistan. Training and diet: I usually train 4 hours a day but have been working overtime in preparations for the 2010 Asian Games. I have to be particularly careful in my weight category and so my diet is mostly made up of eggs, cereals, milk and fruit. Favourite boxer: Mike Tyson Tou
Niamatullah (56kg)
DOB: 01/04/89, Quetta
How it all started: I started when I was about 14 or 15 years old. My first club was the Hamdard Boxing Club.
Training and diet: I usually train for about 5-6 hours a day and my diet is made up of eggs, bread and lots of meat.
Favourite boxer: Ahmed Ali (Pakistan) and Prince Naseem Hamid
Toughest opponent: Muhammad Nadim Hossain (Bangladesh)
Niamatullah (56kg) DOB: 01/04/89, Quetta How it all started: I started when I was about 14 or 15 years old. My first club was the Hamdard Boxing Club. Training and diet: I usually train for about 5-6 hours a day and my diet is made up of eggs, bread and lots of meat. Favourite boxer: Ahmed Ali (Pakistan) and Prince Naseem Hamid Toughest opponent: Muhammad Nadim Hossain (Bangladesh)
Nawaz Dad (60kg)
DOB: 05/08/1985, Khanewal
How it all started: I started at the age of 18 from the Five Star Ghazi Boxing Club. My father was into boxing and wanted one of his two sons to be a boxer. So you can say it's a family thing.
Training and diet: 5-6 hours a day. I eat mostly chicken, it keeps the weight off. Sadly, there are a lot of things we can?t eat.
Favourite boxer: Prince Naseem and of course Mohammad Ali
Nawaz Dad (60kg) DOB: 05/08/1985, Khanewal How it all started: I started at the age of 18 from the Five Star Ghazi Boxing Club. My father was into boxing and wanted one of his two sons to be a boxer. So you can say it's a family thing. Training and diet: 5-6 hours a day. I eat mostly chicken, it keeps the weight off. Sadly, there are a lot of things we can?t eat. Favourite boxer: Prince Naseem and of course Mohammad Ali
Nisar Khan (75kg)
DOB: 20/09/1982, Lahore
How it all started: I actually wanted to play basketball but in 2001 was persuaded by some coaches to give boxing a shot. I took part in a tournament by the Pakistan Army and it's been a tough journey since. My idols were Asghar Ali Shah and Haider Ali.
Training and diet: I train for about 4 hours a day but for the Asian Games, the routine has been a bit more rigorous. My diet is made up mostly of protein.
Nisar Khan (75kg) DOB: 20/09/1982, Lahore How it all started: I actually wanted to play basketball but in 2001 was persuaded by some coaches to give boxing a shot. I took part in a tournament by the Pakistan Army and it's been a tough journey since. My idols were Asghar Ali Shah and Haider Ali. Training and diet: I train for about 4 hours a day but for the Asian Games, the routine has been a bit more rigorous. My diet is made up mostly of protein.
Asif Katchi (52kg)
Place of Birth: Karachi
Achievements: Gold at the National Ranking Boxing Championship in 2009
* Asif has been drafted in as a last minute replacement for Haroon Iqbal
Asif Katchi (52kg) Place of Birth: Karachi Achievements: Gold at the National Ranking Boxing Championship in 2009 * Asif has been drafted in as a last minute replacement for Haroon Iqbal

Meet Pakistan’s boxing squad for the 2010 Asian Games. Find out when and how they started, what fuels them and what their aspirations are. – Text by Taimur Sikander, Photos by G.A.Zaidi

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