Islamabad: German boxer Zeina Nassar, who made her professional debut in Lahore, has said she felt “honoured, protected, and completely at home” during her visit to Pakistan, calling the experience “beautiful and overwhelming”.
In an exclusive conversation in Pakistan TV’s show ‘World This Morning’, Zeina Nassar, who participated in the international boxing championship in Lahore, expressed deep gratitude for the respect and warmth she received from the Pakistani crowd and organisers.
“I was feeling blessed to be part of Pakistan and to have my pro debut fight in Lahore,” she said.
Nassar, who represents Germany as a hijabi athlete, said fighting in a Muslim-majority country carried special significance for her.
“Even though I don’t have Pakistani roots, I felt at home. As a Muslim hijabi fighter, being in a Muslim country made me feel very comfortable,” she said.
She described the crowd as “loud in the best way”, saying every reaction from the audience energised her in the ring.
The boxer praised Pakistan’s hospitality, emphasising the professionalism of the organisers and security teams.
“When athletes travel to a new country, we need to feel safe and trust the people behind the event. Alhamdulillah, everything was perfect, from the airport to the venue. We were protected, and that is very important for us,” she said.
Nassar highlighted how the event brought together athletes from different countries.
“Boxing is a global language based on respect, discipline, and hard work. After the fight, we exchanged experiences and learned about each other’s cultures. We even made new friends. That’s the beauty of sport,” Zeina Nassar said.
Speaking about her journey as a hijabi boxer, she said she helped change international clothing rules in 2019 to allow Muslim women to compete wearing the hijab.
Zeina Nassar said she wanted her next fights to be in Pakistan.
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