Faiza Nasir and Naheen Khan, two distinguished badminton players from Pakistan, elevated their nation’s medal tally on Friday by securing a gold medal in the unified women’s doubles event at the Special Olympics World Games, hosted in Berlin.
Competing at Messe Berlin, Nasir and Khan dominated the Women’s United Doubles 03 category, defeating opponents from Uzbekistan (21-5, 21-17), the Kyrgyz Republic (21-12, 21-13), and Malaysia (21-14, 21-6). The victorious duo scored a total of 126 games while conceding only 67, earning them the top position in the division.
The triumphant athletes shared their feelings in a press statement released by Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP), stating, “Our hard work has come to fruition, and we are thrilled to have won the gold medal for our country.” They expressed gratitude towards their trainers, highlighting that their guidance played a critical role in the achievement. Inspired by their victory, the pair pledged to continue improving their game and maintain their winning momentum.
Coaches Mutahir Sohail and Qamar Ali Mona, who hail from Lahore just like their successful trainees, were overjoyed at the duo’s performance. They stressed that the win was a significant morale booster, given the two years of rigorous preparation both athletes undertook for the Games. Nasir and Khan also attended the SOP training camps held in Karachi and Islamabad as part of their intensive preparation for the Berlin tournament.
Read More: Foreign Ministry Evaluates Safety Ahead of Cricket World Cup 2023 Amid Rising Tensions
Furthermore, Noshiwan Arif Raja and Talha Asif, two additional Pakistani badminton players, secured a silver medal in the Men’s Unified Sports Doubles event, further bolstering Pakistan’s successful showing at the Special Olympics World Games. They managed to triumph in two of their three matches in the competition, achieving victories over Paraguay (21-18, 21-12) and Macau (21-12, 21-16), although they were defeated by Hong Kong (21-16, 21-18) in a captivating match.
SOP has fielded a total of 87 athletes, comprising 33 women and 54 men, across 11 sports disciplines. As the tournament continues, these athletes remain dedicated to earning further honours for their country. Thus far, the Pakistani team has procured an impressive haul of seven gold, seven silver, and six bronze medals in the Special Olympics World Games.
