Muhammad Riaz, a skilled football player who represented Pakistan in the 2018 Asian Games, has been invited to the Prime Minister’s House after a video of him selling jalebis to support his family went viral.
The 29-year-old athlete faced financial difficulties after losing his job when K-Electric, his former team, disbanded its football squad. This happened because the previous PTI government banned departmental sports, leaving many players unemployed. Although Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had promised to bring back these sports, Riaz continued to struggle to make ends meet.
With no stable income, he turned to selling jalebis as a way to support his family. His story gained widespread attention, highlighting the challenges faced by many athletes in Pakistan who have dedicated their lives to sports but receive little support in return.
The invitation to the Prime Minister’s House is seen as a significant step in acknowledging the struggles of Pakistan’s athletes. Many hope that this will lead to meaningful action in restoring departmental sports and ensuring better opportunities for sportsmen like Riaz, who have proudly represented the country.
