A troubling incident has shaken the Pakistani sports community as a boxer participating in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Italy has vanished after pilfering money from a teammate’s bag, as disclosed by the Pakistan Amateur Boxing Federation on Tuesday.
The missing athlete, identified as Zohaib Rasheed, had travelled to Italy with aspirations of securing a spot in the Olympics. However, his actions have cast a shadow over the country’s reputation on the global stage.
Colonel Nasir Ahmed, the secretary of the national federation, expressed profound embarrassment over Rasheed’s conduct, stressing such behaviour tarnishes both the federation’s image and the nation’s integrity. Rasheed, once hailed as a promising talent in Pakistan, had previously clinched a bronze medal in the Asian Boxing Championships, adding to the disappointment surrounding his sudden disappearance.
According to official accounts, Rasheed allegedly seized the opportunity when a female teammate, Laura Ikram, left her room keys at the front desk during training. He purportedly used the keys to access Ikram’s room, where he absconded with foreign currency from her purse before vanishing from the hotel premises.
Efforts to locate Rasheed have been initiated, with the Pakistan Embassy in Italy informed and a police report filed. However, authorities have yet to establish contact with the absconding boxer.
This regrettable incident serves as a stark reminder of previous instances where Pakistani athletes have exploited international opportunities to seek a better future abroad.
