Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has fulfilled the government’s financial promise to mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Shahzaib Rind by handing over a Rs. 5 million cheque to his father, Khair Muhammad, during an official meeting. The gesture came after public criticism and aimed to honor Rind’s remarkable achievements on the international stage.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was held to recognize Shahzaib Rind’s global accomplishments and to address the delay in awarding the prize money. Rind, who hails from Balochistan, had earlier taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express frustration over the government’s failure to deliver the promised financial rewards.
In his post, Rind claimed he had not received a single rupee of the Rs. 5 million cash prize or the Rs. 80 million allocated for training and preparation. He also accused politicians of corruption and making empty promises, a statement that drew widespread attention and sparked debate nationwide.
Responding to the backlash, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar acknowledged the delay, calling it a result of miscommunication. He apologized on behalf of the government and assured the athlete that his contributions were deeply valued. “You are our real hero,” Tarar posted. “The Prime Minister has taken serious notice of the delay and has ordered immediate action.”
Shahzaib Rind has brought pride to Pakistan by becoming the country’s first global champion in Karate Combat, securing victory in Singapore in September 2024. He also defeated India’s Rana Singh in Dubai earlier that year, further elevating his international profile.
The incident has reignited public conversation on how national sports heroes are treated and the need for more timely and transparent support from the state.
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