Prime Minister’s cash award recognises Pakistan’s first Asian Games MMA medallist
KARACHI, October 17: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has honoured Pakistan’s mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Asim Khan with a cash award in recognition of his historic bronze medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 in Japan, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country.
Asim became Pakistan’s first-ever Asian Games MMA medallist with his bronze medal, earning national recognition for his achievement on the international stage.
The Prime Minister’s recognition is being viewed as an important step towards promoting MMA in Pakistan and encouraging athletes to pursue excellence in international competitions.
Under the leadership of Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) President Zulfiqar Ali, the federation has focused on developing Pakistani fighters through international exposure, training opportunities and participation in major championships.
Asim Khan has received support from PMMAF since 2021, helping him progress through international competitions and win medals at World and Asian Championships before achieving his historic Asian Games podium finish.
PMMAF President Zulfiqar Ali said the achievement reflected the federation’s commitment to investing in Pakistani talent and providing athletes with opportunities to succeed internationally.
“This achievement reflects our vision of investing in Pakistani talent and creating genuine opportunities for our athletes to succeed internationally. Through training, international participation and continuous development, we aim to build a strong foundation for Pakistan MMA,” he said.
Asim Khan expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Olympic Association for recognising his achievement. He also thanked Zulfiqar Ali for supporting his development since 2021 and providing opportunities to train and compete internationally.
He acknowledged the contribution of his coaches and family and thanked Almighty Allah for the achievement, pledging to continue working hard to bring further honour to Pakistan.
The recognition is expected to provide fresh encouragement for the development of MMA in Pakistan, with PMMAF reaffirming its commitment to nurturing emerging fighters and strengthening the country’s presence in international competitions.
