Pakistan is sending just one athlete to the Paralympic Games, accompanied by a coach and a chef de mission.
The Paralympics, the Olympic Games for athletes with disabilities, will hold their 17th edition in Paris, France, from August 28 to September 8.
Pakistan’s delegation will consist of three members: a single para-athlete, a coach, and a chef de mission.
China is sending the largest delegation with 284 members, followed by the UK with 225, France with 211, Australia with 160, the USA with 151, and Italy with 141. India’s 84-member team has already arrived in Paris.
Pakistan’s lone representative will be 40-year-old all-rounder Haider Ali, a distinguished athlete with 5 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals in international competitions for athletes with disabilities. He will defend his discus throw title at the Paris Paralympics.
Haider Ali made history by winning Pakistan’s first gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 with a throw of 55.26 meters. The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) will cover the expenses for both Haider Ali and his coach, Akbar Ali, while the chef de mission will cover his own costs.
The national team is scheduled to depart from Islamabad for Paris on August 26.
Notably, Haider Ali, who has cerebral palsy and is from Gujranwala, first made history by winning Pakistan’s inaugural medal in the long jump at the Beijing Paralympics 2008. By competing in the Paris Games, he will set a record for representing Pakistan in five consecutive Paralympics.
The Paris Paralympics will feature 549 events across 22 sports, with athletes from around the world. The athletes will stay in the Olympic Village, which has a capacity of 17,000, and around 45,000 volunteers will assist in the Games.