National Games: Nine-year-old Kainat denied participation in 5000m race

KARACHI: The youngest athlete at the ongoing 35th National Games, nine-year-old Kainat Khalil, on Thursday was barred from participating in the 5000m race due to her age, her coach claimed.

Representing Sindh in the ongoing 14-team event, Kainat was stopped by the organisers ahead of the commencement of the race, citing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, which restrict underage runners from participating in long-distance races.

Venting out his frustration, Kainat's coach shared multiple video statements on social media in which he criticised the organisers' decision and asked the runner to share her feelings about it.

The nine-year-old, visibly emotional, remained lost for words and eventually burst into tears when the long-distance race got underway without her.

"It is said that Pakistan does not prevail in sports. How will the sports go ahead? Two days ago, there was a competition. It was a 10000m race. She was removed from the race on that day as well. She was [later] allowed to participate because [they thought] she would withdraw after two to three rounds," Kainat's coach said in a video statement.

"She won a bronze medal. Today is a 5000m race. Her BIB number is ready. Her team is ready, but she was removed because she is underage. They are telling me that we don't allow children in the IOC rules," he added.

Interestingly, the nine-year-old athlete, earlier in the Games, participated in the 10000m race and clinched the bronze medal, finishing the distance in 48 minutes and 42.70 seconds.

Notably, Kainat's coach had claimed that she was initially barred from competing in the 10000m race as well due to her age but was later permitted after the former submitted a written undertaking, in which he vowed to take "full responsibility" for her well-being.