Star soccer player forced to sell 'jalebis'

ISLAMABAD: Once a shining star on the football field, Mohammad Riaz -- who proudly represented Pakistan in the 2018 Asian Games and played for K-Electric -- is now struggling to make ends meet, forced to cook and sell jalebis on the streets.

Despite clear directives from the prime minister to revive departmental sports, K-Electric and many other organisations are yet to reinstate their sports teams. As a result, talented athletes like Riaz are left with no choice but to seek alternative means of survival.

“For years, I waited for the promised revival of departmental sports,” Riaz lamented.

“I was hopeful after hearing the prime minister’s announcement, but the delay had been unbearable. With no income, I had to find an honest way to provide for my family. That’s why I now stand at a street corner, cooking jalebis instead of practicing football.”

Riaz did not hold back in criticising the former PTI government’s decision to impose a ban on departmental sports, calling it premature and damaging to Pakistan’s sports industry. “Our society does not prioritize sports. Until that mindset changes, departmental support is crucial for athletes,” he said.

“How can young players be inspired to pursue football when they see a national player like me selling jalebis to survive?”

The situation has sparked outrage among sports officials and analysts. Taimoor Kayani, former advisor to the minister for IPC, expressed his deep disappointment over the negligence shown towards national athletes.

“It is heartbreaking to see a footballer of Riaz’s caliber, who could have been a multimillionaire if he played in Europe but here he was forced to selling jalebis on the streets,” Kayani said.

“This is not just Riaz’s tragedy, many other national footballers and hockey players are suffering the same fate.”

Kayani has urged the prime minister to take immediate action by removing those who have failed to implement his directives and ensuring that Pakistan’s top athletes can return to the field where they belong.

Pakistan’s football community now watches with hope, waiting to see if the government will step up and prevent more national heroes from being driven from the stadium to the streets.