Haider wants to emulate Arshad in Paris
(From left to right) Pak coach Akbar Mughal and Chef de Mission Ahmed Shami, Indian coach Aditiya Chaudhry and javelin thrower Sandeep, Pakistan’s sole medal hope athlete Haider Ali with discus thrower Sakshi Kasana (Centre). PHOTO: NATASHA RAHEEL
Pakistan's sole participant at the Paralympics 2024 and discus throw defending champion Haider Ali and his coach Akbar Mughal on Monday checked out the venue where they will be competing for a medal on September 6.
Mughal, who has been the only specialist coach at Paralympics from Pakistan, went to Stade de France where the discus throws event will take place for their category F37.
Haider has been the only Pakistani and the first one to make history in athletics as he has won the gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Paralympics for Pakistan since 2008.
He will be defending his title as he won the gold medal in Tokyo with his discus, while his previous two medals, a silver and a bronze, were in the long jump.
"We have come to the stadium to see the conditions here, the weather and the environment to get accustomed," Mughal told this correspondent through a video. He showed the crowds at the venue.
Stade de France is also the same venue where Arshad Nadeem broke the Olympic record and won his gold medal on August 8.
In almost a month, Pakistan will have a very good chance of getting another medal in Paris.
The feat that Arshad achieved in Paris last month was a feat that Haider had achieved in 2021 in Tokyo.
However, despite being the top athlete and an elite one at the global level Haider does not get the proper facilities or even the grants to carry on his incredibly inspiring journey.
The National Paralympics Committee hardly got any funds, and till the last moment, they had to strive to get Haider to Paris.
The Pakistan Sports Board came on board only to give a ticket to him for Paris and a 10-day camp which is practically nothing even if we do not compare it to the other countries.
Pak-India moment at the Paralympics
India's javelin thrower Sandeep along with his coach Aditiya Chaudhry and their female discus thrower Sakshi Kasana also stopped while going to their accomodation in the Athlete's Village when he saw the Pakistani party.
The resulting interaction by the sunset over the Seine bank can only be best described as heartening, a perfect example of sports not only uniting people but also bringing delight and joy.
It was something to behold, away from the jingoistic narratives online or on the news channels shoved down on the mainstream to portray a never-ending war between the Pakistanis and Indians.
On the contrary, it was a true representation of sportsman spirit, love, and support from the coaches and players of both countries
Sandeep and Aditya recognised Haider instantly and stopped to greet him. Sandeep also showed appreciation for Haider's feats, adding that he has been rather unlucky at the Paralympics as the medal has eluded him so far.
They also congratulated Haider for Arshad's achievement.
The chat between the players and coaches was also very revealing of the status of the Paralympics in India.
Sandeep said that he had been training in Germany and had been getting all the facilities needed for an elite athlete.
In India, the prize money for Paralympic medallists is equal to that of Olympics medallists, and this time the transmission for the Indian Paralympics contingent is aired the same way it is done for the Olympics.
India has sent 84 athletes at the Paralympics and so far they have won two gold medals, three silver, and four bronze medals in Paris.
Pakistan on the other hand, has an extremely disappointing attitude towards the Paralympics and the para-athletes.
There is zero investment in athletics and Paralympics sports and preparations despite the numerous accolades won by Haider at the Asian, World Championships, and Summer Games stage.
The National Paralympics Committee also struggles with systemic bias and lack of awareness as they do not enjoy the same grants and recognition for the achievements in the country as its counterpart the Pakistan Olympics Association does.
Last time in Tokyo they pushed hard to send the first Pakistani female athlete to the Paralympics, but they could not do the same this time due to the lack of support.