ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Riaz, who was as soon as a promising expertise on the soccer subject representing Pakistan within the 2018 Asian Video games, now finds himself promoting ‘jalebis’ on the streets to make ends meet.
This drastic downturn highlights the impression of the failure to rejuvenate sports activities on the organisational degree regardless of the prime minister’s directives, a transfer criticised by Riaz as detrimental to the nation’s athletic panorama.
“For years, I waited for the promised revival of departmental sports,” Riaz lamented.
“I was hopeful after hearing the prime minister’s announcement, but the delay had been unbearable. With no income, I had to find an honest way to provide for my family. That’s why I now stand at a street corner, cooking jalebis instead of practicing football.”
Pakistan’s Muhammad Riaz celebrates throughout an Asian Video games match in 2018. — Fb/FootballPakistan.Com (FPDC)
Moreover, the 29-year-old footballer from Hangu, who additionally performed for Okay-Electrical, criticised the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) authorities’s controversial ban on departmental sports activities, calling it untimely and damaging to the sports activities trade.Â
“Our society does not prioritise sports. Until that mindset changes, departmental support is crucial for athletes,” he mentioned.
“How can young players be inspired to pursue football when they see a national player like me selling jalebis to survive?”
The scenario has sparked outrage amongst sports activities officers and analysts. Taimoor Kayani, former advisor to the minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Division (IPC), expressed his deep disappointment over the negligence proven in the direction of nationwide athletes.
“It is heartbreaking to see a footballer of Riaz’s caliber, who could have been a multimillionaire if he played in Europe but here he was forced to selling jalebis on the streets,” mentioned Kayani.
“This is not just Riaz’s tragedy, many other national footballers and hockey players are suffering the same fate.”
Kayani has urged the premier to take instant motion by eradicating those that have didn’t implement his directives and making certain that Pakistan’s prime athletes can return to the sphere the place they belong.
Pakistan’s soccer neighborhood now watches with hope, ready to see if the federal government will step up and forestall extra nationwide heroes from being pushed from the stadium to the streets.
