Abrar Hussain (Urdu: ابرار حسین; February 9, 1961 – June 16, 2011)[1] was a professional Pakistani welterweight and Light-middleweight boxer. Hussain represented Pakistan at the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Summer Olympics.[1][2] In 1985 South Asian Games, he won a Gold medal for Pakistan in Dhaka.[1] In 1990 Asian Games, Hussain secured Gold medal in boxing for Pakistan.[3] He also represented his country at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.[4]

Abrar Hussain
ابرار حسین
Born
Sayed Abrar Hussain Shah

(1961-02-09)February 9, 1961
DiedJune 16, 2011(2011-06-16) (aged 50)
Quetta, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
Statistics
Weight(s)Light-middleweight
Welterweight
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Medal record
Men's boxing
Representing  Pakistan
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1990 Beijing Light middleweight
South Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1985 Dhaka

He was the deputy director of Pakistan Sports Board[3] and chairman of the Provincial Sports Board in Pakistani province of Balochistan. He was shot dead outside of his office in the southwestern city of Quetta on June 16, 2011, by two unknown gunmen on a motorbike[5] He belonged to a minority ethnic group of Hazara and followed the Shia sect of Islam. His killing was allegedly inspired by sectarianism.[3]

Early life

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Hussain was born February 9, 1961,[1] in Mehrabad, Alamdar Road, a Hazara ethnic neighborhood in the southwestern city of Quetta, Pakistan. Some sources list his birth date as February 9, 1965.[2][6][7]

Career

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In 1983 Hussain made his international debut in Asian Boxing Championship in Japan where he won a bronze medal.[6]

In 1984 Hussain represented Pakistan in Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He participated in boxing men's welterweight and was ranked 17T.

In 1988, Hussain represented Pakistan in Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He participated in men's Light-middleweight and was ranked 9T.

In 1992 Hussain represented Pakistan in Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He participated in men's Light-middleweight was ranked 17T.[2]

In 1985 Hussain represented Pakistan in South Asian Games in 1985 South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh and won a gold medal.[1]

In 1990 Hussain represented Pakistan in the Asian Games of 1990 and won a gold medal.[1][6]

Awards

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Death

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Hussain was shot dead outside of his office near Ayub National Stadium, on June 16, 2011, by unidentified gunmen on a motorbike. He was shot several times and also received a bullet in the head he was rushed to the nearest hospital but died before any medical assistance was given to him.[1][6][9][10][11] The banned Pakistani sectarian, terrorist militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) claimed the responsibility for his killing.[8]

Funeral

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Hussain's body was taken to his home in a procession, and a very large number of people attended his funeral. He was buried in Behesht-e-Zainab Hazara cemetery on Alamdar road, Quetta.[8]

Responses

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No arrests were made by police[11] and a demonstration was held by a large number of people from the Shia Hazara community demanding the arrest of the killers.[8]

The Chief Minister and Governor expressed grief at his death.[6]

The Pakistan Boxing Federation named his death an irreparable loss to the sport. Pakistani boxer Muhammad Waseem expressed grief and said that it was a huge loss. The PBF postponed the national tournaments including NBP National Ranking Tournament in Quetta and the Youth boxing tournament in Karachi.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Baloch, Shehzad (17 June 2011). "Another hero lost: Boxing Olympian shot dead in Quetta". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Abrar Hussain Syed". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "Olympic boxer Abrar Hussain shot dead in Pakistan". NDTV.com. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. ^ "14.Commonwealth Games - Auckland, New Zealand - January 24 - February 3 1990". amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Gilani asks PML-N to bring no-confidence motion". Pak Tribune. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Pakistan boxing great shot dead in Quetta". Dawn (newspaper). 16 June 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Abrar Hussain Syed". Olympic.org. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d "ISI-SSP network kills Olympian boxer Abrar Hussain, a Hazara Shia Muslim, in Quetta". Criticalppp.com. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  9. ^ a b Nair, Anita (17 June 2011). "Pakistan | Olympics Boxer | Shot dead | Abrar Hussain | Chairman, Baluchistan Sport Board". One India News. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  10. ^ "Three-time Olympic boxer killed in Pakistan". NBC Sports. Off the Bench. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Three-time Olympic boxer shot dead in Pakistan". ESPN. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
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