During the senseless protest demonstrations during the last two weeks, a good news for Afghanistan went unnoticed largely in media. Afghan boxer Hamid Rahimi won the World Boxing Union championship on February 24, 2012 in Hamburg city of Germany. A crowd of enthusiastic fans and officials of the Olympics Committee welcomed him yesterday at Kabul Airport amid chants of victory.

alking to journalists after arrival, Hamid Rahimi dedicated the title to the people of Afghanistan. We congratulate the nation on this tremendous achievement by our hero and hope it was a starting victory for him and greater surprises are ahead in other world events.

Hamid was born on September 12, 1983 in Kabul. During the war in 1992, he left the country for Germany, where his craze for boxing brought him to a professional ring. In 1998, he started training in Thai Boxing and went to trainings to Thailand in 2002.

He briefly left boxing in 2004 and started a restaurant and bar named Buddha Lounge in Hamburg, Germany. His passion and enthusiast for boxing brought him back to the ring in 2006, when he started playing in competitions, with a unbeaten track record.

The achievement of the title of World Boxing Union championship is a tremendous victory that has brought the nation a moment of pride. But unfortunately the media and Government has not encouraged our hero the way he should have been. Unlike, cricket and football, the combative sports are not given due attention by media, and thus ignored by the Government.

We need to more encourage the likes of Hamid who leaves the luxury of a comfortable life in the West, where they can earn a bright professional career, and comes to Afghanistan to bring us pride. Our media is needed to more coverage such victories. The concerned authorities or any high official from the Government did not bother to congratulate the athlete and encourage him.

Hamid Rahimi should be more encouraged by the Government and private sector in order to appreciate his talent. The concerned authorities and Olympic Committee should also pay attention towards the deplorable condition of other combative sports across the country.

Talents die because they are not polished or reach to the attention due to lack of support. They are needed to be brought up and introduced to the World. Sports play pivotal role in positive social factor for our youth.