Pakistani athlete Irfan Mehsood returns KP govt's Rs500,000 cheque over "insulting behaviour"

Irfan Mehsood, a martial artist holding 100 Guinness World Records in different categories, expressed disappointment with Khyber Pakhukhwa’s government and returned their cheque of Rs0.5 million.

The KP's government had given him a prize of Rs500,000 for his performance, but the authorities "refused his proposal to assist him in upgrading his club". 

In a series of videos on his X account, Mehsood said the behaviour of KP’s sports ministry disappointed him. 

The athlete said during a meeting with the provincial body he proposed to sponsor equipment for his club.

“Initially, officials refused my proposal due to the lack of funds, but after a few moments, they started bargaining with me, offering Rs200,000,” he said in a video. 

Mehsood said the amount offered by the government was not enough to fulfill his requirement.

In the video, the record-holder also showed a cheque of Rs 500,000 that he had returned to the ministry.

Ifran Mehsood is the first Pakistani who achieve a milestone of 100 Guinness Book of World Records and garnered national recognition with the Presidential Pride of Performance Award.

Mehsood had completed his century by breaking the record of Marcello Ferri of Italy, who set a world record by lifting 56kgs with his toes. However, Mehsood broke the record by lifting 63kgs.

He had also set records for Marshall Pushups, Squats, Jumping Jacks, Step Ups, Knee Strikes, Elbow Strikes, Side Jumps, High Jumps, Star Champs and other categories.

34-year-old marshal artist broke the record of athletes from the world's 16 countries, including the US, Great Britain, India, China, Norway, Germany, France, Finland, Philippines, Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria.