Sept 3, 2021:Paralympian Haider Ali lifted the country’s pride by winning the first gold medal for Pakistan at the Paralympics, with a top podium finish in the discus throw event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Haider Ali threw 55.26 meters in his fifth attempt in which he covered the best distance. Ukraine’s Zabniak won silver with a throw of 52.43m, while Brazil’s Taxira de Souza won bronze with a throw of 51.86m.
Haider had earlier won two medals in Pakistan’s long jump event, a silver in Beijing and a bronze in Rio.
While talking to local press, Ali mentioned the difficulties he experienced in training and the obstacles and disturbances thanks to the corona virus pandemic during the past two years.
“There were lots of challenges in training, but we kept going because we had to prepare for Tokyo.”
Haider Ali feels that it was difficult to have uncertainty in training, but then another set of difficulties arose when the government of Pakistan did not help the para-olympians to travel to Tokyo.
Earlier, National Paralympic Committee (NPC) media director Huma Baig shared that the athletes’ tickets had also been purchased a few days before their arrival in Tokyo.
The committee did not have the backing of the government in sending the athletes to the Games, but then the Punjab government finally helped in facilitating the tickets, and most of the preparations were based on self-help. Ali is fully aware of the fact that the government of Pakistan has not played the role it should have.
“Training was a challenge, but when there came a time to participate in the completion, we faced so many issues to get to Tokyo alone. These were issues from the government,” said Ali.
Haider Ali has been trying to ensure that the country gives at least as much coverage and support to para-athletes as they do to the Olympians.
“My appeal to the Government of Pakistan is that Paralympics is the biggest event in the world, and to even get here and participate here is an honour. I have even won medals for the country. But the request is that the paralympians should get equal support, which the Olympians get, so that we can also train better, compete in a better way, give better results and make Pakistan proud. I am grateful to NPC, because of them I am where I am today. Because of the efforts by the NPC, I am in Tokyo today.”
Haider Ali is not alone in seeking help from the people of Pakistan.
Talha Talib, Pakistan’s top weightlifter who took fifth place in the Tokyo Olympics 67kg event, feels that Haider Ali deserves all kinds of support in his campaign in Tokyo.
Talking about the success of Haider Ali, Talib said, “Ali is a hero. He is our brother and a legend, we see him train too, as he is from my hometown Gujranwala. Of course we are all supporting him, but more than that we are praying for him to win.”
Ali said he had wanted to play since childhood, although his right side was weaker than his left.
Speaking about the challenge his body presents while playing, says, “By birth my right side is weak, but sports were always my passion. Even in my childhood I loved sports and when I found out about the NPC, I contacted them, and they supported me fully. Today I am here, and I have won medals in Rio and Bejing,” said Ali.
However, unlike Beijing and Rio, Haider Ali has now turned his major event from a long jump into a discus throw. He competed in the discus throw at the 2008 Games where he finished fourth, but this is the first time he has competed in a discus throw.
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