Martial arts medalist, Rizwan Pathan, forced into factory labor

A Pakistani national athlete, Rizwan Pathan, who brought pride to the country through his sporting achievements is now struggling to survive financially.

According to reports, martial arts and gymnastics medalist, Rizwan Pathan, is currently working as a laborer in a marble factory in Nowshera due to financial difficulties.

Pathan became popular after he won a gold medal at the 2018 National Martial Arts Championship, demonstrating his exceptional skill in the game. 

Furthermore, he received medals in several provincial and local competitions, proving his potential as a promising athlete to represent Pakistan internationally.

However, financial constraints forced him from staying focused on his martial arts training to seek manual labor to support himself. 

While talking to media, Rizwan described life’s challenges as tougher than any contest he faced in the ring, saying circumstances have made his journey as an athlete difficult but not ended his ambition.

He further claimed that sponsorship or institutional backing could help him return to training and pursue his dream of raising Pakistani flag on the global stage.

Sports analysts have pointed out that without a sustained support system, many promising players are pushed out of professional sports and into unrelated jobs simply to make ends meet. 

Steps should be taken by the government to cater to these athletes financially so that they can focus completely on their sport and compete internationally.