PESHAWAR: Nayab Bibi is a fast runner. The fact that her arm has been paralysed since birth does not deter her from doing what she does best. She returned a champion to her hometown of Maneri Payan in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Nayab made her country proud in the 2015 Special Olympics in Los Angeles. She brought home with her a bronze medal in the 200 metre run. She also came fourth in the relay race and sixth in the 100 metre run.

Nayab Bibi brought home a bronze in the 200 metre run. ─ Photo by author

11-year-old Nayab is unaware of exactly what she has achieved for Pakistan, but she feels proud. She knows that she did something important when relatives, guests and officials come to her home to visit and congratulate her.

A group of people waits in the hujra of her house to congratulate her. The young athlete is dressed in a colourful shalwar kameez and scarf. She follows her brother, Abdullah, and her uncle, Shafi Kaka, into the hujra.

The visitors stand up and congratulate her and her family on her success. She sits down on a wooden sofa as her medals and ribbons are displayed on a table in front of her. She realises that she has done something special.

When asked by reporters how she feels after winning a bronze medal, Nayab looks uncertainly at her family and doesn’t respond. She’s not used to speaking in front of elders, especially men. But when she’s asked if she’s happy that she won the medal and whether she’ll participate in future competitions, she nods shyly.

When asked if she's happy that she won the medal, she nods shyly. ─ Photo by author

Her uncle tells her that she has made Pakistan and her village very happy by winning a bronze medal. “It’s an honour for Pakistan that our little Nayab won the medal and we will continue to support her to bring credit to our country.”

Abdullah is very happy with Nayab’s success at the World Games. He recognises her school, which teaches special children. “It’s all possible because of Mashal School and the teachers. They worked hard with Nayab and provided her opportunities within the country and abroad to participate in events,” he said.

Mashal Institute for Education was established in 1998 for special children. Currently, 166 students are enrolled – 64 girls and 102 boys. The school accommodates students from play group to matric.

According to Mr Abdul Wahid Ghaznawi, Director Administration of the institute, the school educates students free of charge. It has its own board of directors and runs on donations. Mr Ghaznawi added that four special students from Mashal, including Nayab, participated in the Special Olympics. They collectively won four medals, two silver and two bronze.

Abdullah is very happy with Nayab’s success at the World Games. ─ Photo by author

At the last World Games four years ago, seven students participated and won four gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal. The administration said that students specifically prepared for participation in the Special Olympics at school.

Before the World Games in Los Angeles, Nayab has participated in the National Games and won several medals and ribbons.