ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has finally awarded a cash prize of Rs5 million to Paralympian Haider Ali, who won a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
On September 6, 2024, Pakistan’s top para-athlete Haider Ali won bronze in the Men’s Discus Throw F37 with a 52.54m throw, clinching his fourth Paralympic medal.
The 39-year-old now has a total of two bronze medals, one silver and one gold at the Paralympics, with Paris marking his fifth Paralympic Games. Ali’s medals are also the only medals Pakistan has ever won at the Games.
A PSB spokesperson said that the cash award was granted under the sports board’s newly approved policy, which was recently implemented. “Under the new policy, other athletes who excel at national and international levels will also be rewarded for their achievements,” as per the statement.
Federal Minister for the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Rana Sanaullah handed over the cheque for the cash prize to Haider Ali at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on the occasion of Quaid-e-Azam Inter-Provincial Games 2024.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister’s aide commended Haider’s dedication and stated that his achievement has made the entire nation proud. “The government remains committed to promoting sports and encouraging athletes through such initiatives,” the IPC ministry emphasised.