Hangu: Muhammad Riaz Afridi, a talented national football player from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been forced to work at a confectionery shop due to financial difficulties.
A video of Riaz making jalebis went viral on social media, sparking widespread sympathy and debate about the state of sports in Pakistan.
Riaz, who has represented Pakistan in the Asian Games, SAIF Games, and Youth Championships, expressed his frustration, stating, “I sell jalebis in the market.
What would I do if this was not my job? Football has no future anyway.”
His struggles are attributed to the closure of sports departments and non-payment of funds by the Football Federation.
Following the viral video, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif invited Riaz to the Prime Minister’s House for a meeting.
During the meeting, the PM awarded him a cheque of Rs 2.5 million and announced a job for the footballer.
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Additionally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also provided Rs 1 million in financial assistance.
Riaz’s story has shed light on the challenges faced by athletes in Pakistan, with social media users noting that such talent would be highly valued and well-compensated in other countries.
