Friday, March 29, 2024

Amir Khan Said eating curry Is Not The Right Diet To Become A Champion, Boxers Comment Triggered A Response From Azeem Rafiq

The world-famous boxer Amir Khan claimed that the Asian athletes blame racism when in reality they are not performing well. He shared his views at the conference of his retirement. Azeem Rafiq’s claims of the institutional racism at Yorkshire led to government intervention, and resignations on the board led to a ban on the club hosting Test matches

Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq said that he was “triggered” by comments about Asian athletes that were made by the boxer Amir Khan this week.

The former welterweight champion said on Monday that the Asian athletes are using racism as an excuse when they underperform in their matches. He also blamed eating curry for their lacking performance. Amir believes that eating curry was “not the right diet to be a champion”.

Rafiq Claims To Be A Victim Of Racial Harassment

Rafiq has been a victim of bullying and racial abuse at the Yorkshire Country Cricket Club. “Khan’s comments reinforce lazy stereotypes against the Asian athletes. There is a clear data out there which disproves that.”

The cricketer’s allegations of institutional racism at Yorkshire have led to government intervention. There have been several resignations which also led to the ban on the club from hosting any kind of test matches.

“It is particularly sad because it comes from someone who inspired entire communities to take up the sport,” Rafiq, 31, said.

“And to be honest, it triggered me. I suffer daily, and I find life incredibly difficult as someone who has endured abuse. And, according to Amir Khan, I’m just making an excuse.”

Amir Khan’s Comments On Muslim Players During A Recent Press Conference

Khan, 35, won silver at the age of 17 during the 2004 Olympics. He also held welterweight titles between 2009 and 2012.

Amir has led a celebrity lifestyle and has appeared on several television series including I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and At Home With The Khans.

At a news conference Khan said:

“People used to say: ‘We are Muslim, we are Asian, we can’t make it in boxing. We’re not going to be picked.’ It’s an excuse that all Asians use – that we’re never going to be picked.”

“Look, us Asians are not really meant to be fighters. We’re not supposed to be good sportsmen and women. Our diet is appalling. It’s curries. It’s not the right diet to be a champion. If you put us against a lot of English fighters their diet is a lot better. They’re stronger than us.”

The sports sector is working towards the goal of becoming more anti-racist, progress. There is still a long way to go which will lead to undoing systemic racism.

“It is baffling and extremely frustrating as Amir has now further reinforced stereotypes the British South Asian community has long fought to diminish.

“Such misinformed and misguided comments have caused greater harm to the community.”

Joanne Elliot
Joanne Elliot
Joanne Elliot has a keen interest in the issues that college students face during their life on campus. She enjoys researching the nature of these issues to find solutions and then writing about them. Follow Joanne to learn more about the college lifestyle and how to navigate it.

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