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Salman Ahmad -Mr. Musclemania World 2015 ignored by the Pakistani Media
12-02-2015
Life is tough in majority of the Muslim nations, or in third world countries. Many of the countries lacking institutions that can support, encourage and promote the future generations to excel and move ahead in the world, whether its education, technology, arts, or sports, talented individuals are not getting the opportunities to prove their mettle. Despite all the odds, there lies so much talent, and passion among people to excel that many of them take it upon themselves to make their mark into history.
During 2010 Winter Olympics we witnessed many such individuals from Muslim nations who made their way to Vancouver on their own, at personal expense, carrying proudly their respective nation’s flags, competing on behalf of their nation. Although their nation did not contribute anything towards their presence on behalf of their nation at world stage. Yet, they did it. What these individuals did for their countries can never be compensated. Despite their sincerity and love for their countries, their efforts hardly get notice, there is no fanfare welcome, when they return home, no media coverage, no dinner at the presidential palace. Their name along with their achievements gets buried which the future generation will never get to learn, hear, or talk about. Some may say it’s a tragedy for the individual. We feel it’s a tragedy for the Muslim nations and Muslim Ummah.
One such individual is a Pakistani body builder, Salman Ahmad, who, on Monday, November 23, clinched gold medal and the Mr. Musclemania World Title 2015. “It is the first time in twenty five years that this title is going to Pakistan,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook page.
However, his journey to clinch this title has anything but simple or easy. His persistence and his determination overcame all obstacles he had been facing. This is not the first time he has made such achievements on behalf of Pakistan, without any support from the government or corporate sponsors in Pakistan. Last year, on his own he made his way to this world renowned competition and clinched the second position, silver medal.
Although, he had made worldwide headlines, mainly in sports magazines and newspapers. No media outlets in Pakistan had heard about it or cared to mention his achievement. There was no red carpet rolled out for him at the airport, and no government official even bothered to go to the airport and receive him. Ironically, in Pakistan, he resides in the constituency of Mr. Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly. Yet no one seemed to be bothered.
His tragedy does not simply end at this. The real tragedy is what occurred after he returned to Pakistan. He laid out his utter frustration, and hypocrisy of Pakistani media and politicians in a general appeal to all via a video which he uploaded on Facebook. The video is in Urdu, but anyone who can understand Urdu and has seen this video would vouch that it points out the sad and pathetic state of Pakistani Media and political structure based on how he was treated.
He described his experience that after realizing that no one in Pakistan seemed to have care that the World’s Second Place Musclemania champion is a Pakistani. He gave them the benefit of the doubt and introduced himself and his achievement to media outlets. The media houses responded, “So what should we do about it.” Some media outlets demanded thirty thousand Rupees for a ninety second news clip, another demanded forty thousand Rupees for two minute sound byte.
He wrote hundreds of letters to politicians and corporations to support his efforts as he alone is unable to bear the cost of such endeavour, yet no one seemed to have cared about it.
He described in his video on Facebook, how other nationals come with pomp and pageantry, with complete support by various institutions, coaches provided by the nation, and a media that reports different aspects of the athlete’s activities, and keeping the athlete connected with the fans at home.
Nonetheless, he did not give up or give in, he continued upon his efforts to return back to Musclemania World competition to clinch Gold medal for Pakistan.
The video which he posted on Facebook, letting out his frustrations about the obstacles and hypocrisy of the system and how it is faltering did pay dividends. After the video went viral, the Pakistani media was brought to shame, things started to change. The media started paying attention, the politicians started meeting with him. However, nothing more than lip service was offered.
His Member of Parliament, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Mr. Ayaz Sadiq, met him before he headed to the championship, and said, “It is a source of pride for us that a youngster from the NA-122 constituency is competing in a weight lifting and body building competition.” No assistance was offered by the government of Pakistan.
However, he still made it to this year’s world championship to earn his rightful place in history, on his own and with the backing of one sponsor, Jack’s Nutrition.
After winning the championship, he expressed his gratitude towards his family for their support and motivation. “I don’t know how to say thank you for helping me reach this stage” he said in a video posted on Facebook.
We believe, the Muslims living in the west have a responsibility to encourage such talented individuals, and provide support so they can blossom and flourish making names for their respective countries. It is one way to change the negative image of Islam and Muslims by the mainstream media and project the positive aspects of Islamic countries and culture.
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