Just days after the nation celebrated Arshad Nadeem's record-breaking javelin throw of 92.97 metres, which won Pakistan's first-ever individual gold medal at the summer Olympic games, another Pakistani picked up a gold medal at an international sporting event. Amir Khan, a resident of the Amankot area of Swat, won gold at the International Taekwondo Championship in Bangkok.
Amir secured the medal after beating competition from India, Nepal, and the Philippines.
How did Amir get here?
Speaking to The Friday Times, Amir detailed how a young lad from the mountainous region of Swat got to Bangkok.
Amir said that he had to make tremendous efforts and sacrifices to participate in international competitions. Unfortunately, he did not receive support from the official quarters and did not have access to funds to buy a plane ticket and other necessities.
The martial artist lamented that he received no support despite submitting multiple requests to the Sports Department and the district administration.
Asked about the competition, Amir told The Friday Times that he had been preparing for a long time and was grateful to have participated in the competition and win.
He emphasised that there was no shortage of talent in Pakistan, but the lack of government support and attention presented a significant hurdle in ensuring that meritorious athletes rise to the top.
"Many players cannot participate in national and international competitions simply because they lack support," he said, adding, "The country's economic situation has also become challenging, making it difficult for players to arrange funds for competitions."
Amir said he solved his predicament by selling personal items, including his iPhone, to help pay for the ticket and other necessities.
"I managed to reach the competition venue and participate in the event."
Competition
In the competition, Amir said he faced players from three countries, including Nepal, the Philippines, and archrivals India.
As in the Olympics for Arshad Nadeem, Amir's most intense competition was also against his Indian rival.
However, Amir said he believed in his abilities and was able to beat all three players and bring the gold medal to Pakistan.
The recently concluded seventh International Taekwondo Championship saw some 2,500 players from 16 countries participate. As many as 30 players from Pakistan, including Amir, took part in the event. In contrast, only seven athletes from Pakistan participated in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, including two athletes, two swimmers, and three shooters.
President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Amir on winning the gold medal and said that Amir had made the entire nation proud by showcasing excellent sportsmanship. He expressed the hope that Amir would continue to perform well in the future.
In addition, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Mehmood Khan and Pakistan-origin boxing champion Amir Khan congratulated the Taekwondo star from Swat. Former actor Rabia Pirzada announced a cash prize of Rs100,000 for Amir Khan.
It is worth noting that after Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Arshad Nadeem's home in Mian Channu and presented the national athlete with a cheque for Rs100 million and a luxury car as a prize, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif awarded Arshad Nadeem with Rs150 million.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced a Rs5 million prize for Nadeem, "which will be given from personal salaries and contributions from friends, not from tax money."
Apart from government officials, many companies and private individuals announced prizes for Nadeem.
Wasting talent
While Amir somehow managed to raise the funds to attend the event, another young athlete was not so lucky. Young Taekwondo champion Ayesha Ayaz told The Friday Times, "I was thrilled to receive an invitation to participate in the competitions in Bangkok, and I was eager to represent Pakistan and make the country proud once again."
However, Ayesha said that unlike Amir, her family could not raise the funds necessary to ensure travel and participation in the event and to have a shot at competing for glory.
"My father also wanted me to participate, but unfortunately, he couldn't make it happen due to financial constraints," Ayesha lamented, adding, "He told me that we couldn't afford to participate in the competition this time."
Ayesha said these words from her father, who was among her biggest supporters, heartbroken.
"I had no other choice, so I decided to withdraw from the competition."
Ayesha, the daughter of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Taekwondo Association and International Coach Ayaz Nayak, said that she had previously won two gold medals, two silver medals, and three international medals for Pakistan at the age of 13. Despite that, no one came forward—especially from the official quarters—to support her.
"My father approached every department and high-ranking officer, but no one helped us," she cried, adding, "It's already challenging for a girl to step out of the house, and when we do, no one is willing to support us if the government doesn't support me.
"I have decided to quit sports altogether."
Nayak told The Friday Times that he had approached the Swat Deputy Commissioner, the Divisional Sports Officer, and the District Sports Officer, seeking support for his daughter's participation in the international tournament, but he had received no support.
Pointing towards Ayesha's track record at international competitions, Nayak lamented that the government was wasting his daughter's talent. He criticised the government for not valuing the talent of the country's youth, whether in Swat or other parts of Pakistan, citing the example of the Paris Olympics, where 178 officials accompanied just eight players, but there were no funds for plane tickets for talented players.
Nayak urged the government to provide financial support for his daughter's participation in the upcoming international competitions in Qatar and China.
A bridge too far
When asked about the two players' complaints, Swat Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Mahboob told The FridayTimes that some things are just far too much for them to support.
"We are supporting local sports in Swat," Mahboob began, adding, "We cannot support players for international competitions because the district administration does not have sufficient funds to provide airfare and other necessities for the players."
Mahboob explained that they are organising local sports competitions in Swat apart from supporting training for both boys and girls in different sports so that they can represent the country in the future.
The deputy commissioner further told The Friday Times that players frequently participate in various competitions and sports activities in Swat and that they are given certificates of appreciation and some funds.
However, owing to funding issues in the district administration, they arrange funds for the players through private donors.
The deputy commissioner said they are currently in the process of organising a Sports Gala, which will include cricket, football, taekwondo, hockey, tug-of-war, and other competitions.
In the winter season, Mahboob hoped to organise a winter sports festival featuring snow kabaddi, ski festivals, snow cricket, and other competitions.
He emphasised that the youth are the country's asset and that it was their responsibility to provide opportunities for them.