Raging Beauty’s Parents: A Liberal Outlook to Females in Sport [Archives:1999/52/Sports]

Originally from Al-Baidha and due to the political situation, the Girgrah family left Aden in the early 1970s to settle in Canada. With due support and attention and a suitable environment, they prospered. Their daughter Isra excelled in a new sport to the fair sex – boxing. Raging Beauty, as she is christened by the media, is hailed by sports commentators as a new world champion.  
Isra Girgrah’s upcoming match next March in New York is a revenge one with her formidable opponent Christy Martin.  
Yemen Times met Isra’s father, Mr. Mohammed Abdulqader Girgrah, at his Sanaa home. Despite his bad flu, he obliged with the following interview, conducted in a typically traditional Yemeni atmosphere. 
Q: Could you tell us a little about your life in Canada? 
A: When we left for Canada in 1973, Isra was only two years old. We raised our children just like Canadian kids, paying close attention and adhering to our Yemeni roots and traditions. 
In addition to their academic studies, our children – Bassel, Areej and Isra – practiced many hobbies. My eldest son, Bassel, studied environmental engineering and now works in Vancouver. After graduating from university, Areej is a social worker. 
Isra started doing social studies, but she opted out to female boxing and she moved to Atlanta, USA to pursue her career. 
Q: When did Isra start boxing, and how did you react to that? 
A: She started as a professional boxer in 1995 in Atlanta. Ever since she was a little kid, my daughter liked to practice sports such as football, basketball, and tennis. 
Beginning just like any other hobby, boxing became a passion for Isra, who was encouraged by her friends and teachers. At the beginning, her mother and I were quite concerned and sometimes frightened because boxing is quite dangerous. I advised her to stop, but could not make her do so in face of her great desire to go on. ‘I found my self in boxing,’ she often says. She has a great ambition to become a world boxing champion. 
Q: When did you come back to Yemen with your wife? Why isn’t Isra with you? 
A: We returned to the country because the country has become more peaceful and stable. We largely missed our life and family and friends here. In the beginning I worked in commerce, but now I work with Minister of Health as a coordinator of of projects funded by the World Bank European donor countries. 
Isra actually visited Yemen in 1996, but had to leave because of her sports engagements. She is very proud of her Yemeni origin. 
Q: How does Isra get funds? Do you wish for any help by the Yemeni government? 
A: Along with being a trainee, Isra also trains junior boxers. This helps her earn some money to fund her training and living expenses. First and foremost, Isra is a Yemeni champion. We hope that the Yemeni government and President Ali Abdullah Saleh will support her. She can then represent Yemen honorably, just like Naseem. 
Q: How much does Isra earn from her boxing matches? And who promotes her fights? 
A: She got $10,000 from her last fight. The reward may rise $100,000 if she snatches the world title from Christy Martin. Her promoter is the daughter of the interntional boxing promoter, Don King who organized fights for Mohammed Ali, Holyfield, Tyson and others. This means that Isra has a good chance of winning. Such attention given to her shows that she in fact has a great potential. 
Many sports commentators have affirmed that her losing the fight with Christy on August 23 was just not fair. She believes that she is the winner, hence the coming revenge fight. 
Mrs. Sameera Girgrah, Isra’s mother also talked to Yemen Times: 
“We did not feel that Isra was serious about boxing, just a phase she was going through. But when I visited her in Atlanta in 1997, I was surprised at the high level of training and professionalism she has attained. Her coach told me that she delivers quite powerful punches. She has been able to win several fights. So we started to encourage her immensely. 
“Despite being a new comer, Isra proved to be more than worthy as a contender in her fight with Christy Martin. She would have won, were it not for the referees’s unfair decision. But she came out even more determined to win the next fight, which makes me really very proud of her. 
“I was really surprised at what I heard people say about my daughter’s ability as a boxer. I attended some of her training sessions, and was astounded at her skill and agility. Her coach even made her fight with male boxers to improve and even show off her strength. 
“When visited Isra in her room in Atlanta, I found she keeps a copy of th Holy Quran, translated into English, and a string of prayer beads. This means that she strongly adheres to her Yemeni and Muslim origins. 
“I hope that there will be some support for my daughter’s career by the Yemeni government. Our current financial circumstances don’t allow us to prived with the necessary funds.” 
Will the government respond by supporting the Raging Beauty? 

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