Pakistan’s sole representative at the upcoming Paris Paralympics, Haider Ali, departed for the French capital on Monday, accompanied by his coach, Akbar Ali.
The Paralympics, set to officially commence with the opening ceremony on August 28, follow the successful conclusion of the Olympics earlier this month. Haider, hailing from Gujranwala, will compete in the F37 category of the discus throw event on September 6.
This marks Haider’s fifth appearance at the Paralympic Games, a testament to his enduring talent and dedication. He achieved a historic gold medal in the discus throw at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with a remarkable throw of 55.26 meters.
His Paralympic journey began with a silver medal in the long jump at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, followed by a bronze in the same event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Unfortunately, an injury prevented him from competing in the 2012 London Paralympics.
Yasir Pirzada, Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), expressed confidence in Haider’s potential to secure another medal for Pakistan. “We are honored to send Haider Ali to the Paralympics once again. His exceptional talent and dedication make him a top contender for another medal, and we are confident that he will make Pakistan proud again,” Pirzada stated.
The Paris Paralympics will feature over 4,000 athletes from 170 countries, highlighting the remarkable abilities of athletes with various physical disabilities. As Haider Ali prepares to compete on this prestigious international stage, the nation eagerly anticipates his performance and hopes for another moment of pride and achievement.