Muhammad Ibrahim and Ismail Khan battle poverty, injuries, and lack of support to nurture mixed martial arts
PESHAWAR:
Muhammad Ibrahim, a resident of Kurram tribal district, spends his mornings navigating Peshawar’s crowded streets as a taxi driver. By evening, he transforms into a coach at a small mixed martial arts (MMA) club on the outskirts of the city, one of the few places where young fighters are learning the demanding sport despite scant resources and zero government backing.
Ibrahim’s journey into combat sports began in 2004 at the tender age of 12 when he joined a karate academy. He later moved to Burmese martial art Bando and then honed his boxing skills at the Peshawar Sports Complex. With no dedicated MMA academy in the provincial capital at the time, he travelled across different places to piece together his training.
“I met another student, Ismail, at the karate academy. He now owns an MMA club in Nothia,” Ibrahim said. “There has been no support from either the provincial or federal governments.”
The passion of these self-made fighters recently bore fruit when they organised an MMA competition at the Peshawar Sports Complex. The event was made possible only through the generosity of an Afghan enthusiast who contributed Rs1 million.
At Ibrahim’s academy, around 40 students train regularly. He charges Rs1,500 per month, a modest fee that barely covers basic expenses. “It is a small setup, but MMA is my passion, so I continue,” he said.
His friend Ismail Khan runs a comparatively larger facility. Until a few months ago, Ismail sold samosas and pakoras in the mornings to sustain a tiny academy with very few students. After renting a new place, his student strength has now grown to 50.
“The ideal age to start MMA is eight or nine. It takes almost six years to master it,” Ismail said. “But it is also a dangerous hobby that can lead to injuries, which is why parents are naturally hesitant.”
Both coaches point out that most of their trainees come from poor families. Preparing for championships requires a proper diet for at least a month, costing a minimum of Rs15,000, an amount many families struggle to afford.
“There should be inter-club competitions to identify talented players, followed by district-level events, but none of this is happening,” Ismail lamented.
The fighters are calling upon the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Sports Department and the federal government to extend the same support to MMA that other sports receive.
“Government should organise training camps to polish the skills of these players and hold regular competitions,” Ibrahim said. “There is no shortage of talent in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, only the lack of official support.”
Despite the odds, the dedication of Ibrahim, Ismail, and their students continues to keep the flame of mixed martial arts burning in Peshawar.
