Pakistani Paralympian Haider Ali is set to compete in the 2024 Paralympics. He has represented Pakistan previously on multiple occasions including the 2008, 2016 and 2020 Paralympics. Pakistan has won three medals in Paralympics and all of them were won by Hadier Ali. Pakistani Paralympian Haider Ali will be competing in the F7 category of Discus throw on September 6.
The humble beginnings of Pakistani Paralympian Haider Ali
Haider Ali was born in the village of Daira Multaniawala near Gujranwala. He was born with cerebral palsy, which resulted in the right side of his body being weaker than the left. His right leg is one inch shorter and two inches thinner than his left leg.
He comes from a family of wrestlers and always wanted to be an athlete. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is Haider’s inspiration. Usain’s posters in his house are a testament to this. Just like his role model he also dreamed about achieving greatness.
Pakistani Paralympian Haider Ali started his career at the college level initially he represented Punjab Education Board and later on WAPDA. At WAPDA he met Akbar Ali Mughal who became his coach and worked on his fitness and refined his talent. Just like other athletes such as Arshad Nadeem Haider also faced significant problems including lack of facilities and support.
Dream Debut
Pakistani Paralympian Haider Ali made his international debut in 2006 at the FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (later renamed the Asian Para Games). He won four medals, including gold in the men’s long jump F37 category, marking the beginning of a successful career.
Paralympic Gold and other Significant Achievements
Haider won Pakistan’s first-ever Paralympic medal by securing a silver medal in the men’s long jump F37/38 category with a distance of 6.44 meters in 2008. He also participated in the T38 sprint and 200 meters, finishing fifth in the latter. In the discus throw event, he narrowly missed the bronze medal.
In the 2010 Asian Games, Pakistani Paralympian Haider continued his success by winning two medals, including gold in the F38 long jump and a bronze in the T38 100m.
As the flag bearer of Pakistan, Haider won a bronze medal in the F38 men’s long jump at the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, despite initial struggles with finding training facilities and uncertainty regarding financial support, Pakistani Paralympian Haider made history by winning Pakistan’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in the F37 category discus throw with a throw of 55.26 meters.
What to Expect from Pakistani Paralympian Haider Ali in the 2024 Games?
Haider’s recent performances have been impressive, including clinching a gold medal in the 2023 Para Asian Games. He trained in Islamabad before departing for Paris on August 26, 2024. You can expect a medal if not gold, but there are chances of him getting a medal.
Speaking to the press, the Chairman of the Pakistan Sports Board expressed confidence in Pakistani Paralympian Haider’s potential, stating “We are honored to send Haider Ali to the Paralympics once again. His exceptional talent and dedication make him a top contender for another medal, and we are confident that he will make Pakistan proud again.”
Haider Ali will be competing in the F7 category of the discus throw on September 6, 2024 carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders.
