Nooh Butt claims he was barred from participating at Paris Olympics due to "personal grudges"

Pakistan's premier weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt, who won a gold medal for the country at Commonwealth Games 2022, has made shocking allegations against the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation.

In an interview with senior journalist Shahzad Iqbal,  the gold medalist claimed that the federation did not want him to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 due to personal grudges.

Butt revealed that the federation's lack of support was evident throughout his journey. 

"They didn't want me to qualify for the Olympics. They want me to follow their directions blindly" he stated.

"When I won the Commonwealth Games in 2022, the officials [of PWF] wanted me to credit them in interviews and shows. But it was my father's hardwork and I credited him," the athlete added.

ارشد ندیم کی کامیابی کے بعد حکومت اور ادارے ایتھلیٹس کو بھرپور سپورٹ کے دعوے کررہے ہیں مگر کامن ویلتھ گولڈ میڈلسٹ ویٹ لفٹر نوح بٹ نےدعووں پرسوالات اٹھادیے۔
نوح بٹ اولمپکس کیوں نہ جاسکے؟ سنیے ان کی زبانی

pic.twitter.com/fYN6GbJPQ1

— Shahzad Iqbal (@ShahzadIqbalGEO) August 11, 2024

Butt also expressed frustration that the federation only acknowledged his achievements after he won the gold medal. 

The weightlifter further complained that he received facilities and support from the federation after his victory.

"I was given facilities after winning the Commonwealth Games, but nothing before," he added.

Butt's achievements are noteworthy as he not only won the gold medal for Pakistan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the UK but also set a new record by lifting a total of 405kg in the over 109 kg category.