Lal Saeed Khan: A forgotten champion who fought against poverty and raised boxing’s glory.

Lal Saeed Khan: A forgotten champion who fought against poverty and raised boxing’s glory.

by Ghani Ur Rehman

PESAWAR: The story of Lal Saeed Khan, who hails from the modest village of Azakhil in Nowshera, is one of perseverance, passion and unwavering dedication to the sport of boxing.

Born into a humble background, Saeed began his journey at the age of 14 when he joined a local boxing club in his hometown. Little did he know that this decision would catapult him to the national level and secure his legacy as one of the best boxers to emerge from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Saeed’s ability and courage were evident when he won his first gold medal in 1969 at the National Boxing Championship in Rawalpindi. This win was no mean feat,

as they dominated the championship for the next seven years and made the title their own. Competing in the lightweight category, Saeed also won the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam International Boxing Championship and was the undisputed champion of the Inter-Services Championship from 1971 to 1976, representing the Pakistan Navy.

Despite these glorious achievements, Lal Saeed Khan’s journey was not without challenges. His performance in the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games may not have lived up to expectations, but his determination never wavered. In 1971, he proved his resilience by winning the Hilali Cup, the biggest title in Asia at the time, defeating the mighty Ceylon boxer Saba Singh.

However, life after the ring was not kind to the boxing hero. Today, Saeed struggles to make ends meet. Living with his wife and three sons, he works as a fruit vendor in the local market, earning a meager Rs. Earning barely 500 rupees per day.

Despite repeated requests for help from Pakistan Sports Board and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate, their financial difficulties persist. Yet, despite the odds, Saeed stuck to his passion for boxing. After their work day is over, they coach athletes in the area to train young boxers for free, passing on their knowledge and skills to the next generation.

In recognition of his services to boxing and his unwavering passion, Lal Saeed Khan was finally honored with the ‘Pride of Performance’ award on 23rd March. On behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, this prestigious award was given to him by the then Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Owais Ahmed Ghani. A ceremony at Governor House Peshawar.

“Today my dream came true,” said an emotional Saeed. “Finally I got recognition for my services to the sport and the country. I always hoped that someone, somewhere in power, would recognize my efforts, who would encourage the young players to work hard.”

The story of Lal Saeed Khan is a testament to the resilience and determination of athletes who, despite being forgotten by the system, are contributing to the development of sports in Pakistan. Saeed’s legacy, built on hard work, perseverance, and an indomitable spirit, will continue to inspire generations of boxers to come.