Pakistan’s most successful para-athlete, Haider Ali received a quiet welcome after securing a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics. Despite his remarkable achievement, his arrival at Islamabad Airport was met with a subdued reception, attended only by officials from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and members of the National Paralympic Committee.
The Paralympian was greeted with a banner featuring images of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood. This bronze medal marks Haider Ali’s fourth Paralympic medal, adding to his illustrious career. In his first attempt at the Paris Games, he achieved a throw of 52.28 meters, although he missed out on the next four attempts. Haider Ali previously won a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, a silver medal in Beijing in 2008, and a bronze in Rio in 2016.
His qualification for the 2024 Paris Games was secured after an outstanding performance at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where he threw 51.23 meters in the F37 category.
While his return to Pakistan was low-key, Haider Ali was honored at a special ceremony at the Pakistan Embassy in Paris on Sunday. The event was attended by the Pakistani community in France and prominent athletes, including Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem.
During the ceremony, Arshad Nadeem congratulated Ali, saying, “Many congratulations to Haider Ali for his success.” Ali, 39, expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of his family, stating, “All the credit for my success goes to my family,” as he reflected on his journey to victory.
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