The Sindh government has allocated Rs4.7 million to support teenage boxing champion Aliya Soomro’s participation in an international tournament in Dubai this August, where she will compete against an Indian boxer. The 19-year-old athlete expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, calling the sponsorship a pivotal moment in her career.
Hailing from Lyari’s tough neighborhoods, Soomro has become a symbol of women’s resilience in sports. Her father, a daily wage laborer and former aspiring footballer, instilled in her the determination to succeed. Earlier this year, she made history by becoming Pakistan’s first female world boxing champion with a stunning 45-second knockout in Bangkok’s WBA Asia 105-pound category.
Following her championship win, CM Shah honored Soomro with a Rs1 million cash award and traditional Sindhi Ajrak at CM House. Her achievements have also earned her recognition from UNICEF as an exceptionally talented youth. During a recent Sindh Assembly session, MPA Shazia Karim moved a resolution to formally acknowledge the boxer’s accomplishments.
As Soomro prepares for her Dubai bout, CM Shah reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting women athletes. While her Indian opponent’s identity remains unknown until days before the match, the young champion remains focused. “I fight for every girl in Pakistan who dares to dream,” says Soomro, whose story continues to inspire a new generation of athletes.