Pakistan's Nooh Butt set for comeback after PWF dispute resolved

Pakistan’s seasoned weightlifter and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medalist Nooh Dastgir Butt has resolved his longstanding issues with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) which has paved the way for his return to international competition.

The breakthrough not only revives Nooh’s weightlifting career on the global stage but will also enable him to pursue qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“I have decided not to play strongman and powerlifting anymore as the issues with the federation have been resolved. It was not anything major but just some misunderstandings that I wanted to clear up and we have done that,” Nooh told Nukta.

According to Nooh the resolution came after a meeting with Hafiz Imran Butt, the former president of the PWF. The federation is currently headed by Imran’s nephew, Jibran Butt, himself a former weightlifter and the son of late Hafiz Salman Butt, former secretary of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

Despite ongoing doping-related challenges within the PWF, that leave its international status uncertain, Nooh is optimistic.

“I was involved in powerlifting due to the same conflict but now we have canceled all plans related to that. My full focus is now back on weightlifting,” he said.

“My top targets now include the Los Angeles Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, and the South Asian Games which Pakistan is set to host early next year,” Nooh added.

“I have resumed proper weightlifting training and expect to reach peak form in three to four months. The Islamic Games and National Games are also on my radar,” he said.

Nooh’s dispute with the PWF had sidelined him from major events including the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and the Paris Olympics qualifiers. However, his return to weightlifting will see him re-enter the Olympic qualification pathway.

Even if PWF faces international sanctions in future due to doping matters still Nooh can play major events, also including the Los Angeles Olympics Qualifiers, through the assistance of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).

Sources, meanwhile, said that the POA has welcomed the resolution between Nooh and the federation, viewing it as a positive development for the sport.

Nooh also expressed gratitude to his sponsor, Activit, for supporting him.

“I am thankful to Activit for sponsoring me. They are also providing medical facilities to me and my family at the National Hospital in Lahore where I have been receiving treatment for a right knee issue,” he said. “Other athletes, like Arshad Nadeem, are also benefiting from Activit’s support,” he said.

Activit is a multivitamin brand led by CEO Dr Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, who also serves as Director at National Hospital DHA Lahore.

Meanwhile, Olympian Talha Talib is also Pakistan’s top weightlifting prospect. He is also set to return to the international fold after serving a doping-related suspension. Talha, who finished fifth in the 67kg category at the Tokyo Olympics, is currently undergoing intense training in Gujranwala.

While Nooh missed out on the Paris Olympics Qualifiers due to his rift with the PWF, Talha’s absence was due to international sanctions. With both athletes now back on track, Pakistan’s weightlifting hopes are regaining momentum ahead of a crucial Olympic cycle.