Asian Games medalist Pakistani Boxer Goes Missing in Italy

Pakistan suffered a major setback after an Asian Games bronze medalist Zohaib Rashid went missing in Italy during the Paris Olympics Qualifier round.

According to the reports, Zohaib Rashid vanished in Italy, which is hosting the world qualifying round of the Paris Olympics boxing at the Bisto Arzio Arena on the outskirts of Milan.

Zohaib went missing from the team hotel on Saturday. Coach Arshad Hussain went to attend the managers’ meeting and draw ceremony. Zohaib was nowhere to be found when he returned around 9 pm (local time).

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Pakistan’s fellow boxers went to train while Zohaib told them they would train upstairs as it was too cold downstairs. He did not meet his colleagues after that.

Asian Games medalist Zohaib took his passport with him before leaving the hotel. He has a one-month Schengen visa. Sources revealed that the head coach lodged a report at the nearest police station and provided the police with the player’s details and photo.

He was considered Pakistan’s great hope and had the potential to make it to the Paris Olympics. The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has also informed the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Zohaib’s situation.

He is not the first boxer in recent years to go missing in Europe. Earlier, Suleman Baloch and Nazirullah, two of the country’s top boxers, had disappeared after competing in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Just before the Commonwealth Games, Pakistan’s finest swimmer and four-time national champion Faizan Akbar left the team hotel and disappeared shortly after landing in Budapest, Hungary, for the World Swimming Championship in June 2022.