Olympian weightlifter Talha Talib has said he is forced to continue his training in a rented garage due to a lack of proper facilities.
Talha Talib, who recently won a gold medal at the National Games in Karachi, has appealed to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Punjab to provide better training facilities as he prepares for the upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games.
He said that with access to proper gyms and training support, he is confident of winning medals for Pakistan at major international events.
Hailing from Gujranwala, Talha Talib rose to prominence at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he finished fifth in the 67kg category and earned recognition as an Olympic star.
Talha has previously won medals for Pakistan at events including the World Weightlifting Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Championships. However, four years ago, he was banned for using prohibited performance-enhancing substances.
After the ban ended, Talha made a strong comeback by winning gold at the recently held National Games in Karachi.
Speaking about his struggles, Talha said he has been training in a rented garage for the past three years. He added that government support could still help him raise Pakistan’s flag at international competitions.
Talha Talib said the loss of four years of his career remains painful, but he is determined to move forward and once again represent Pakistan with pride.
