Abrar Hussain

Abrar Hussain was a professional Pakistani boxer who competed in the welterweight and light-middleweight categories. He represented his nation at three different Summer Olympics and achieved significant success in international boxing competitions. Throughout his career, he earned multiple gold medals while competing for Pakistan.

Early life and education

Hussain was born on February 9, 1961, in Mehrabad, Alamdar Road. This area is a Hazara ethnic neighborhood located within the city of Quetta, Pakistan. While most records cite his birth in 1961, some sources list his birth date as February 9, 1965.

Career

The boxer made his international debut in 1983 at the Asian Boxing Championship held in Japan. He secured a bronze medal during this tournament to begin his professional journey. His Olympic career spanned twelve years and included three separate appearances for Pakistan.

In 1984, Hussain competed in the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He participated in the men's welterweight event where he achieved a rank of 17T. During the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, he moved to the light-middleweight category. He finished that competition with a rank of 9T.

Hussain returned to the Olympic stage in 1992 for the games in Barcelona, Spain. He competed in the men's light-middleweight division and was ranked 17T. His achievements extended beyond the Olympics to regional championships where he found great success.

He won a gold medal at the 1985 South Asian Games held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 1990, he represented Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games. He also secured a gold medal for his country at the 1990 Asian Games.

Following his athletic career, Hussain transitioned into sports administration. He served as the deputy director of the Pakistan Sports Board. He also held the position of chairman of the Provincial Sports Board in Balochistan.

Personal life

Hussain belonged to the Hazara ethnic group and followed the Shia sect of Islam. His life ended tragically on June 16, 2011, when he was shot dead outside his office near Ayub National Stadium in Quetta. Two unidentified gunmen on a motorbike shot him several times, including a bullet to the head.

He died before medical assistance could be provided at the nearest hospital. The banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the killing, which allegedly had sectarian motives. Following his death, a large procession carried his body to his home. He was buried in the Behesht-e-Zainab Hazara cemetery on Alamdar Road.

The Pakistan Boxing Federation described his passing as an irreparable loss to the sport. In response to the violence, the federation postponed several events, including the NBP National Ranking Tournament in Quetta and a youth tournament in Karachi. Members of the Shia Hazara community held demonstrations to demand the arrest of the killers.

Awards and recognition

The President of Pakistan awarded Hussain the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, also known as the Star of Excellence, in 1989. He also received the Pride of Performance from the President. In 1991, he was honored with the President's Gold Medal.