Martial Arts Medalist Rizwan Pathan Forced to Work at Marble Factory to Make Ends Meet

Rizwan Pathan Says Life’s Challenges Tougher Than Any Fight in the Ring

PESHAWAR: A Pakistani national athlete, Rizwan Pathan, who brought pride to the country through his sporting achievements, is now working as a labourer at a marble factory in Nowshera after financial hardship forced him to step away from competitive sport.

According to reports, martial arts and gymnastics medalist, Rizwan Pathan, is currently working as a laborer in a marble factory in Nowshera due to financial difficulties.

Pathan, who belongs to Bajaur District, won a gold medal at the 2018 national martial arts championships and has also secured medals at several provincial and local competitions.

While talking to media, Rizwan described life’s challenges as tougher than any contest he faced in the ring, saying circumstances have made his journey as an athlete difficult but not ended his ambition. He said a lack of financial resources has become the biggest obstacle to his dream of representing Pakistan at the international level.

Martial Arts Medalist further claimed that sponsorship or institutional backing could help him return to training and pursue his dream of raising Pakistani flag on the global stage.

However, he said that continued financial pressure has compelled him to take up daily-wage labour to support his family. “There is widespread poverty in our area and my family is facing serious financial difficulties, so along with pursuing my passion, I have had to work as a labourer to support my household,” he said.

Despite the hardships, Pathan said he has not abandoned his ambition and appealed for institutional and private patronage to continue his sporting career. “If I am supported, I will become the best player and a proud name for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan,” he said.

Sports analysts have highlighted that in the absence of a sustained support system, many talented athletes are forced to abandon their professional careers and take up unrelated jobs merely to make ends meet. This not only wastes potential but also weakens the country’s competitive strength in international arenas.

They emphasize that the government must introduce structured financial assistance and long-term support programs to ensure athletes can fully concentrate on their training and performance, enabling them to compete effectively at the international level.