Rizwan Pathan, a nationally recognised martial arts and gymnastics athlete from Bajaur District, has been compelled by severe financial difficulties to work as a labourer in a marble factory in Nowshera, underscoring challenges faced by athletes outside mainstream sports support systems.
Pathan, who won a gold medal at the 2018 national martial arts championships and earned multiple provincial honours, told reporters that lack of funding has forced him to abandon full‑time training and competitive plans. His earnings from daily‑wage labour are now essential to support his family amid widespread poverty in his home region.
“The biggest obstacle to my sporting ambition has been a lack of financial resources,” Pathan said, describing the shift from sport to manual work as a reluctant but necessary choice.
He appealed for institutional and private support to revive his athletic career, emphasising that with backing he could represent Pakistan on the international stage. “If I am supported, I will become the best player and a proud name for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan,” he said.
Pathan’s situation highlights broader systemic issues in funding for non‑cricket sports in Pakistan, where athletes often struggle to sustain training without sponsorship or institutional backing.