Haider Ali, Pakistan’s sole representative in the forthcoming Paralympic Games, has set off for Paris with his coach, Akbar Ali, by his side.
The Paralympic Games will kick off with an opening ceremony on August 28, and Haider Ali is scheduled to compete in the F37 discus throw event on September 6.
Originating from Gujranwala, Haider Ali has become a symbol of national pride and athletic prowess.
His international career began with a silver medal in the long jump at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, earning him Rs 100,000 from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
In 2016, Haider secured a bronze medal in the long jump at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, which was followed by a Rs 2,500,000 award from the PSB.
His most notable achievement came in 2021 when he won Pakistan’s first gold medal in the discus throw at the Tokyo Paralympics, an accomplishment that was celebrated with another Rs 2,500,000 prize from the PSB.
Haider has also excelled at the Asian Para Games, where he won gold in javelin and discus throw and bronze in long jump at the 2018 games in Indonesia. The PSB rewarded him with Rs 1,100,000 for these accomplishments.
In 2019, he added a silver medal in discus throw at the World Para Athletics Championship in Dubai to his resume, and also secured gold medals in both javelin and discus throw at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in China.
His most recent triumph came at the 2023 Asian Para Games in China, where he won another gold in discus throw.
As Haider Ali heads to Paris, the nation’s expectations are high. His consistent achievements have made him a beacon of inspiration for Pakistani athletes, and his participation in the upcoming Paralympic Games is highly anticipated.
