The 'Baloch Bolt'
Pakistani sprinter Mueed Baloch, known as the “Baloch Bolt,” shares the pivotal moments that shaped his athletic journey in this 2021 interview. He looks back on where it all began — and how his passion for running steadily transformed into national pride.
Nicknamed the "Baloch Bolt" for his lightning-fast speed—a title given by his peers and coach who likened him to Usain Bolt—Mueed's journey into athletics began unexpectedly. Born in the small town of Kareem Bakhsh Para, he first engaged with sports through football. But his path took a surprising turn when he was invited to a school race. Unfamiliar with race protocol, he started late—yet still managed to overtake every runner and finish first. That quiet but powerful moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
The transition from football to sprinting wasn’t without its challenges. A coach once told him, “If you keep your foot on two boats, you’ll drown.” That advice stuck. Committing fully to athletics, Mueed began training with greater focus and intent. At the Karachi Athletic League, he went head-to-head with Karachi’s fastest runner—and lost. But instead of backing down, he was handed a new challenge: a coach set a target time of 11 seconds in a 100 meters. Determined to beat the mark, Mueed pushed himself harder than ever. In the next race, he clocked 10.8 seconds and surpassed his rival in the process.
For Mueed, one of the biggest challenges young athletes face in Pakistan is the lack of consistent support — not just financial, but emotional and structural. He believes that encouragement, especially in the early stages of an athlete’s journey, can make all the difference.
“Support is everything. If you’re injured and no one asks about you…as an athlete, you break inside.”
Mueed has lived through this kind of neglect. He recalled winning three medals at the Inter-Provincial Quaid-e-Azam Games — in the 100m, 200m, and 4x400m relay — yet receiving barely any recognition. To make matters worse, a Rs. 40,000 cheque issued by the Sindh government bounced when he went to cash it, leaving him disillusioned and frustrated.
In the absence of proper systems, athletes like Mueed are often forced to document and promote their own achievements just to stay visible. Unlike cricket, where players enjoy regular tournaments, sponsorships, and public attention, athletes only get two or three meets a year — with no ceremonies, media coverage, or meaningful engagement. Mueed believes that until these basic structures are in place, many talented athletes will remain unseen and unsupported.
One of his proudest moments came during the South Asian Games held in Nepal, where he was the only athlete from Sindh to represent Pakistan. As the flag was raised and the national anthem played, Mueed was overwhelmed with pride and emotion.
In 2024, Mueed Baloch won gold in the 400-metre race at the World Cadet Games in Venezuela with a time of 48.20 seconds, and silver in the 200 metres with a time of 21.72 seconds. He also holds Pakistan’s national record in the 400 metres with a time of 46.73 seconds.
But his journey isn’t over. Mueed dreams of representing Pakistan at the Olympics — to one day watch the flag rise and hear the anthem on the world’s biggest stage. That, he says, would be the ultimate honor.
If stories like Mueed’s inspire you — how do we turn that inspiration into action for all rising athletes in Pakistan?
Mueed's story is brought to you in partnership with Gatorade Pakistan.
This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.
