Pakistani athlete reveals he sold iPhone, borrowed money to cover travel cost for Bangkok competition

Pakistani athlete Amir Khan, who recently won a gold medal at the 7th Heroes Taekwondo Championship, said he sold his watch, iPhone and borrowed money from relatives to cover travel costs for the competition in Bangkok.

Following javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who won Pakistan's first Olympic gold after four decades, Amir Khan brought honour to the nation with his gold medal win at the International Taekwondo Championship.

Khan also struggled to realise his dream of winning a gold medal in taekwondo and flying Pakistan's flag high on the international stage.

In a recent interview, 22-year-old athlete from Swat revealed that he had approached the district administration for financial assistance, but "no one helped."

Mr Khan said he sold his personal iPhone and watch to buy a plane ticket for the international competition in Bangkok. He also borrowed money from friends and family to participate in the event.

The sportsman defeated players from India, Philippines and Japan to win a gold medal for Pakistan. The most thrilling encounter came against the Indian player, whom he knocked out in the first round.

"I've been trying for a long time to compete at this level. I am incredibly grateful to Allah for the opportunity to participate and bring a gold medal home for Pakistan," he said.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Taekwondo Association official and international coach Ayaz Naik said that his daughter, Ayesha Ayaz, was also invited to compete but was unable to attend due to the cost of the flight ticket.

He mentioned that his daughter is already a gold medalist and that he personally appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of Swat and the Sports Department for support, but unfortunately, he received none.