Report by Alam zeb Safi
KARACHI: Former Mr Pakistan and World No 7 Aamir Rahim Bux has
appealed to the government to extend him financial support so that he
could ensure his participation in the Mr Universe bodybuilding
competitions to be held in America later this year.
“Bodybuilding is the most expensive game and I will need around Rs 1.2
million to prepare myself for the Mr Universe competitions slated to
be held in Florida from June 17 to 18 this year,” Aamir Bux, who made
a stir in the world by finishing seventh in the world musclemania
slots in Florida last year, said here during media talk organised by
the Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS) on Saturday.
“I will need a good diet to prepare myself but I am unable to bear the
expenses and therefore I appeal to the government to support me so
that I could ensure my participation in these competitions with full
confidence,” Loralai-born Aamir said.
He said that he is the only Pakistani bodybuilder who has been picked
for these slots by the World Musclemania Bodybuilding Federation after
finishing seventh in the World Musclemania Championship in America
last year.
Aamir said that he is lucky to have featured in the world musclemania
competitions.
“I didn’t try to feature in the world musclemania competitions but I
was rather invited by the World Musclemania Bodybuilding Federation
after it was moved by my pictures and poses on certain websites,” he
revealed.
“I then communicated with them and provided all my documents after
which they ensured my participation. I will thank the then City Nazim
Mustafa Kamal and Sindh Sports Minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah whose
financial support enabled me to feature in those competitions where I
ended in the top ten,” he said.
“I am the only Pakistani bodybuilder to have flexed my muscles in
these slots. I had been invited by the American Sports Board (ASB) for
these competitions and even offered me nationality which I declined as
I wanted to play for my country,” Aamir said.
“But in spite of all my achievements I was not extended that treatment
which usually is extended to the cricketers or tennis star
Aisam-ul-Haq on such occasions. No one in the government circle even
bothered to contact me and congratulate me for the achievement I got
in America,” Aamir lamented.
“Now when I have qualified for the Mr Universe competitions, I have
been engulfed by financial crises as I will not be able to feature in
these competitions without the government support,” he concluded.
