Former footballer and cricketer Mohammad Jameel wanted one of his four daughters to become a player. Thinking this, Jameel, originally from Nizamabad, chose athletics for his third daughter Nikhat Zareen. Young Nikhat became the state champion in both the sprint events, but entered the boxing ring on the advice of an uncle. Nikhat also raised flags there and was crowned World Youth Boxing Champion at the age of just 14. However, 2017 was ruined by a shoulder injury. Now 5 years later, Nikhat is the world champion, away from the pain and despair. Nikhat prevailed 5-0 over Jitpong Jutamas of Thailand in the final of the women’s 52kg flyweight event at the World Boxing Championships in Turkey.
An emotional Mohammad Jameel told The Indian Express after his daughter became the world champion, “Winning gold in the world championships is something that inspires Muslim girls as well as every girl in the country to achieve big goals in life. Will do A child (be it a boy or a girl) has to make his own way and Nikhat has made his own path.
Being the boxers of uncle Samsamuddin’s sons Eteshamuddin and Itishamuddin, Nikhat did not have to look for inspiration outside the family. Her father did not discourage the daughter from entering a sport that had not seen a female boxer compete in Nizamabad or Hyderabad since the late 2000s.
Boxing requires girls to wear shorts and shirts. It was not easy for the Jameel family. Jameel says, ‘I shifted to Nizamabad for my daughter’s studies and sports. Prior to that, worked as a sales assistant in Saudi Arabia for 15 years. Nikhat’s two elder sisters are doctors.
“I had to devote time to the training of Nikhat as well as his younger sister, who plays badminton. There was no hesitation in our mind when Nikhat told us that he wanted to become a boxer. But sometimes, relatives or friends used to taunt him.
Jameel said, ‘Relatives used to tell us that a girl should not play a sport in which she has to wear shorts. But we had decided that we will support whatever Nikhat wants. After that, two more Muslim girls joined the National Boxing Camp. Now I will tell her how she became an inspiration to others.
The Jameel family is preparing for the return of Nikhat. Jameel said, “For the last 2-3 years she has missed her favorite biryani and nihari. Once she is free from training camp, she has only 1-2 days to spend time with family before getting busy again.
Former Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach Imani Chiranjeevi has trained Nikhat since 2014. “Nikhat Zareen’s biggest strength is her will power and ability to become a sensible boxer who understands the game very well. Things like punching or dodging a punch come naturally to him. Even during bouts, his mind is always in a state of thinking. These things help him to move ahead in his career.