Pakistani footballer Muhammad Riaz was left with no option but selling jalebis for a living amid economic woes, showing the hardship faced by Pakistani sportspersons. His plight reached every nook and corner after his poignant video appeared, depicting him toiling on a roadside stall instead of his game of love.
After protests from the public, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistan Football League (PFL) intervened, providing Riaz with financial assistance. The government promised aid for struggling athletes, promising enhanced sports funding and infrastructure in Pakistan.
Riaz, a former representative of Pakistan on the global platform, appreciated the outpour of support but stressed the call for systemic reform. Most sports personalities and supporters have appealed for sustained reforms to guarantee fiscal security for national athletes beyond short-term relief.
His tale is a wake-up call for Pakistan’s sports administration, highlighting the plight of underfinanced athletes. As the government commits itself to support, the country hopes for a time when players will be able to live without having to take up odd jobs for sustenance.
