ISLAMABAD: The departmental sports structure in Pakistan means athletes who represent various government and private departments, in turn, become their employees. While the employment may not bring a healthy income to the sportspersons, it does become a reliable source.

This, however, is not the case for the physically challenged athletes despite having won Olympic medals.

An example is gold-medal winning Paralympic athlete Haider Ali, who remains jobless despite being his exceptional performances in the last few years.

“Departments provide jobs to the best players in the country, then why should we be treated any different?”

Haider and several other special athletes have asked the government to provide them with employment, claiming they too are a part of the nation. These athletes include Mudassir Baig, who won gold medal in 400-metre race at last year’s Asian Paralympic Games, while Muhammad Awais won silver medal in javelin.

The athletes lamented the fact that their achievements remained ignored year in, year out while cricket and hockey players were showered with cash and other rewards within days of their World Twenty20 and Asian Games.

“Our cricket team received awards despite losing in the semi-finals of the World Cup and we have won gold medals,” Haider told APP.

“I belong to a small village and have not enough resources to participate in national and international events out of my own pocket.”

Haider demanded that the government provide training facilities for the athletes with disabilities.

The National Paralympics Committee lacks appropriate funding and is only able to organise a handful of events every year, which affects the performance and preparation of the Paralympic heroes for international tournaments.