MILAN: Zohaib Rasheed, the Pakistani boxer went missing in Milan, Italy, which is going to host the World Qualifying round for the Paris Olympics boxing in Busto Arsizio Arena. Rasheed, who has secured a bronze medal in Asia and harbored aspirations for the Olympics, disappeared from his hotel near Milan last Saturday.
Taking his passport and room key, Rasheed left without a trace. Promptly alerting the police and providing Rasheed’s photo, the coach’s efforts proved futile as Rasheed failed to appear for his fight scheduled for Sunday. Earlier, few Pakistani athletes including Suleman Baloch and Nazirullah left their hotels rooms and did not come back.
Concerned by the recurrence of such incidents, the Pakistan Boxing Federation has notified the organizers about Rasheed’s disappearance, expressing anxieties regarding athletes facing financial difficulties. Rasheed’s achievements, including his bronze medal in Asian competitions and his valiant performances in the Asian Games, underline the significance of his sudden disappearance.
