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MUZAFFARGARH: The two-room mud house of Azhar Husain, the wrestler who won a gold medal for Pakistan in the 2010 Common Wealth Games in New Delhi, was full to the capacity as dozens of people had thronged it to congratulate the hero`s father, who is also a part-time wrestler and coach of his son.
After seeing a lot of devastation, death and displacement caused by recent flood, it is a moment of glory for the people of Mondka village of Muzaffargarh district.
The 25-year-old wrestler defeated his Nigerian opponent to win the honour for his country.
“I am very happy that by the blessings of the family of Holy Prophet, God has bestowed this honour upon me,” said smiling Ghulam Qadir pehalwan (wrestler), the father and coach of the star, when asked how he was feeling about the success of his son.
He said he had six sons and all of them were wrestlers.
About Azhar`s practice regime, he said when the flood hit Mondka, his son had to move to Multan along with his family where he had to live at the railway station for two weeks.
“Even during homelessness, Azhar did not stop practicing. He would go to a small park near the Multan railway station and there he would practice. It was his commitment to his sport that made his success possible,” he said.
Safdar Hussain, an army official who is also a coach of the wrestler, said Azhar joined the Pak army as a wrestler in 2002. Initially, he was rejected because of his feeble structure but was given another chance to improve which he availed. Azhar married his cousin Rashida a few years back. Talking to Dawn Rashida said since the day Azhar left for New Delhi, she had been praying for his success.
“He won only because of my prayers,” she said. The family of Azhar came to know about the win through TV on Sunday evening. Soon some media persons and his coach Safdar reached there and told them about the details of the good news.
About Azhar`s diet, his father said it comprised desi ghee, almonds and desi chicken. “He does not take tea and takes cow milk only,” the proud father added.
A small room of the flood-ravaged house was Azhar`s training space comprising some old weightlifting equipment.
The people who were coming to congratulate the family were mostly bringing desi ghee and butter as a gift for the wrestler.
Ghulam Qadir appealed to the prime minister to add his area to Watan Card scheme, and requested the high-ups to arrange a wrestling ring for his son. Azhar`s mother Kaneez Mai said after her son`s victory her only whish was to go for Haj.
