Calicut’s Afghani punch

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Ahmed Pardes from Afghanistan has no qualms over his role as a fighter for Calicut University and is trying to do his best for the next All-India University Boxing Championship.

Though he was outshone by the north Indian boxers in the previous edition of the All India Boxing Championship held in Punjab, he is confident it would be a different outing in the next championship.

Ahmed Pardes, who is a third year degree student of Economics at Malabar Christian College, was the Calicut University boxing champion who had taken part in the All India Championships. Says Pardes, “I had no trainers here.

Besides, I do not have a strong co-player to practice with me here. This has brought down my speed and technique in boxing. Unfortunately, I cannot find players who are keen on taking this up as a profession.”

Pardes has represented Afghanistan in kick boxing and at present competes in the 80 kg category. “I stopped kick boxing after I got injured while training. Now I am all into boxing. However, lack of facilities to train has slowed down my abilities,” he says.

The player thinks that more professional learning should be imparted to the game in the state. “It is so different in north India. Several players are coming up from there. We need a professional set up here. When I came to Calicut there were some good players. But now I hardly see anyone,” he says.

This was evident when he knocked out all of his opponents till he reached the Calicut University championships. “It took 15, 30 and 30 seconds each for me to knock down three of my opponents and win the title.

But when I went to north India, it was different,” he says. “If I had my Afghan trainer here, I would have at least grabbed a place in the All India Championships. Anyhow, I will try next time and preparations are on in full swing,” he says.