Visa denial forces Anita Karim to miss UAE Warriors bout in Abu Dhabi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first female mixed martial arts fighter, Anita Karim, has been forced to miss her scheduled fight in Abu Dhabi after being denied a visa, dealing a blow to her preparations and competitive momentum.

Anita was set to compete at UAE Warriors 67 on January 31 in Abu Dhabi and had been training for several months for the bout. The fight was fully organised, and she had completed an intensive training camp, preparing for what would have been her second contest within three weeks.

However, unresolved visa issues prevented her from travelling for the event.

Sharing the development on X, Anita termed it a sad moment and expressed disappointment over the situation.

“I was scheduled to fight on 31st (January) in UAE Warriors 67 in Abu Dhabi. Despite months of preparation and a fully organised bout, I am currently unable to participate due to visa issues,” she said.

She said such administrative delays at a critical stage affect more than just one event. “They impact an athlete’s career, momentum, and the opportunity to represent the country on an international platform,” she added.

Anita also highlighted the demanding nature of professional sports, particularly for women athletes. “For professional athletes, especially female athletes, preparation involves months of disciplined work, physical sacrifice, and mental focus,” she said.

Speaking to a news channel, Anita’s manager Yasir Mushtaq said the event management had set a deadline for the visa process and waited for nearly a week, but the visa was not issued within the given time.

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He said the organisers were left with no option but to replace Anita with another fighter. Mushtaq added that while Anita is deeply disappointed, her next fight is currently scheduled for April.

He urged the authorities to take notice of the issue and called on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to intervene, saying visa-related challenges should be resolved to ensure that the career of Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter is protected and allowed to flourish at the international level.