Eight Pakistani athletes receive IOC scholarship for LA 2028

Eight of Pakistan’s top athletes, including five shooters, have secured the prestigious International Olympic Committee (IOC) Scholarship, a major step forward in their journey toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The scholarships are aimed at supporting high-performance athletes from around the world as they prepare for the Olympic stage and their inclusion marks a significant recognition of Pakistan’s emerging talent.

Nukta understands that under this program each athlete will receive a monthly stipend of 1125 US dollars for a duration of 36 months. This financial support will play a key role in easing the burden of training, equipment, travel, nutrition and participation in international competitions, all critical elements for those hoping to meet the rigorous qualification standards for the Olympics.

The shooting discipline has emerged as the biggest beneficiary with five shooters making the list. Asian Games bronze medalist and Olympian Kishmala Talat leads the pack joined by trap shooter Col Mohammad Farrukh Nadeem, skeet shooter Imam Haroon and promising shooters Sulaiman Khan and Rabia Kabir. Their selection underscores the rising prominence of shooting sports in Pakistan and the country’s potential to make a mark in this category on the world stage.

Also receiving scholarships are three athletes from other disciplines including Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, top national table tennis player Haiqa Hasan and taekwondo fighter Fatima Tuz Zahra.

Growing diversity

Arshad, who has become a household name in Pakistan following his historic gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, continues to carry the hopes of a nation striving for further Olympic glories.

Haiqa Hasan, known for her consistent performances, and Fatima Tuz Zahra, a promising taekwondo fighter, represent the growing diversity in Pakistan’s sporting landscape.

However, three-time Olympian shooter Ghulam Mustafa Bashir is not in the list.

Pakistan Olympic Association’s (POA) president Arif Saeed the other day presented the scholarship documents to the world’s famous athlete Arshad Nadeem at the Punjab Stadium Lahore in front of the media.

On the same day Arshad also departed for Tokyo to feature in the World Athletics Championships which begins on Saturday (tomorrow). Arshad will show his worth on September 18 and 18.

The IOC Scholarship is not just financial assistance, it is a recognition of talent, discipline and potential. For these eight athletes it is both a reward for past performances and an investment in future glory.

With the right support and opportunities, they now have a clearer path to preparing for the world’s biggest sporting event.