Pakistani football talent Mohammad Riaz’s recent financial troubles may be coming to an end after an official invitation to the Prime Minister’s (PM) house. A proud representative at the 2018 Asian Games, Mohammad Riaz now faces an emotional and unforeseen challenge. The 29-year-old’s plight has struck a chord across the nation, after a video showing him selling jalebis in his hometown of Hangu went viral, exposing the harsh reality many athletes are forced to endure.
Riaz’s troubles began when his former club, K-Electric, disbanded its football team following a controversial ban on departmental sports imposed by the previous government. This drastic decision, which Riaz insists has severely undermined Pakistan’s sporting framework, left him jobless and without the institutional support he once relied on.
For years, Mohammad Riaz held tightly to the dream that departmental sports would be revived—a promise that was made by the current PM and offered a beacon of hope for countless athletes. “I always believed that our sporting legacy would be restored,” he shared with palpable emotion. “When the prime minister announced plans for a revival, my heart filled with hope. But the prolonged delay has been unbearable, and with no income, I had to turn to selling jalebis just to support my family,” he had said.
This deeply personal crisis has now spurred action at the highest levels. Sources at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) reveal that Mohammad Riaz has been extended an invitation to the PM House. If the meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif takes place, it could mark a crucial turning point—a moment when the struggles of Pakistan’s athletes are finally acknowledged and addressed.
Riaz’s story is not just about one man’s hardship; it is a stark reminder of how government policy decisions can derail promising careers. As the nation watches this emotional journey unfold, many are left wondering if this long-overdue meeting might finally pave the way for meaningful change in Pakistan’s sports community.
