KARACHI
Pakistani sports saw a surge of good news and hope in 2024 as the athletes managed to surprise the world in a number of disciplines, winning international accolades despite the limited resources and the lack of focus on non-cricket sports.
Most of the newsmakers for Pakistan in sports were men and a huge gap can be felt in participation and results when it comes to the female athletes.
Let’s relive the moments that gave us the Pakistani sports heroes for 2024.
Haider Ali
Pakistan’s most successful individual athlete is, hands down, Haider Ali, who cemented his status at the bustling Stade de France in north of Paris when he grabbed his fourth Paralympic Games medal. He was going for gold, and a successful title defense in discus throw category F37 but fell short in the middle of the fight. He finished the event with a bronze medal despite the flu he was experiencing during the event on the afternoon of September 6.
Haider is the only Pakistani athlete to ever win a Paralympic medal at the Games for Pakistan. In Paris, he made his international debut after two years because of the lack of funds and support. He trained in the rain and waterlogged open grounds of Gujranwala before going to Paris, with only a 10-day camp provided by the Pakistan Sports Board.
He has won four medals, including one gold, one silver, and now two bronzes in five games he competed at, making his success rate at the biggest stage of the sports 80 percent. He stands alone with the success he has had for Pakistan.
