At the funeral of Ubayd Haider, his elder brother Sebastian Singh expressed his deep sorrow and concerns regarding the circumstances leading up to the tragic loss of his brother. Sebastian asserted that Haider had been unwell just two days prior to his boxing match and had requested to withdraw from the fight. He emphasized that Haider was under pressure to compete despite his condition.
“Sebastian stated, ‘He was manipulated. He held his head up high and fought his heart out in that ring,’” highlighting the pride and determination that Haider exhibited even in adversity. Tragically, on October 26, Haider passed away due to brain injuries sustained during a match against China’s Runqi Zhou.
Furthermore, Sports Minister Jese Saukuru announced that a thorough investigation would be undertaken to uncover the circumstances surrounding Haider’s participation in the bout. The young boxer, at only 25 years old, was laid to rest at the Raralevu Muslim Cemetery in Nausori, evoking a profound sense of loss in the community.
This heartbreaking incident not only emphasizes the importance of athlete wellbeing but also serves as a call to action for sports authorities to ensure that their athletes are fully fit and supported before competing. Hopefully, such tragic events will prompt changes in regulations to better protect athletes in the future.
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