Islamabad (APP – Urdu Point / Pakistan Point News – 19 Mar, 2026) Pakistan President of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF), Omar Ahmed, stressed the need to link sporting success to professional opportunities, saying that medals alone are not enough to support athletes in today’s world. Sports industry.
In a statement issued here, Ahmed said that while Pakistan continues to produce talented athletes and medal winners in various disciplines, many of them are struggling financially due to the absence of organized career paths. “Sport is no longer just a competition; it is an industry. If medals do not lead to contracts, rankings or profits, then the system must be examined,” he said.
The PMMAF president noted that Pakistan’s sports ecosystem remains largely focused on domestic recognition, with limited integration into international professional markets. According to him, participation in events and success at the national level often fails to translate into a long-term career for athletes.
Discussing martial arts, he highlighted the distinction between Olympic disciplines and emerging professional sports. He explained that while sports such as taekwondo, karate, wrestling and boxing offer international fame and Olympic opportunities, they often lack avenues for sustained professional earning power after major competitions.
In contrast, he identified mixed martial arts (MMA) as a rapidly growing global industry with clear development structures.
He noted that the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) hosts large-scale amateur tournaments, providing athletes with international exposure and a path to a professional career. “The IMMAF serves as a feeder system where amateur athletes can be recognized and signed by professional promotions,” the PMMAF president said, adding that fighters can earn between $25,000 to $30,000 per bout at the professional level.
Ahmed also said that the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation has worked to create a similar path within the country. He said that the Federation constantly participated in international competitions, won medals at the global and continental levels, and hosted major regional events. He also highlighted the Pakistan Open as a major national platform, stating that it serves as a selection event for international tournaments and provides visibility for athletes for global exploration.
“Our goal is to ensure that medals are not the end point, but the beginning of a professional journey,” he said.
He stressed that the broader sports sector in Pakistan could benefit from adopting similar models that prioritize long-term athlete development and integration into global markets.