Daily Times

Despite the passage of 16 years and court orders, a former national champion of taekwondo is still waiting for the promised promotion for winning the first Gold Medal for the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in National Games 2004.

Abida Zahid – former taekwondo national champion – is currently serving in Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) as Upper Division Clerk (UDC). She had been representing WAPDA team in National Games since 2001. She had won Gold Medal in 2004, 2005 and 2006 for her department and each time the department promised to promote her to the post of Assistant as per the department rules; however, the promise is yet to be materialized.

Abida is playing taekwondo since 1995 and had won different games. In 2001, she joined WAPDA team, and at that time she was only paid stipend amount for representing WAPDA in the National Games. In 2004, the department signed a contract with her and the same year she won a first gold medal for WAPDA team in National Games.

The management recommended to the department to promote her but the concerned officers remained unmoved. In 2005 and 2006, again she won the gold medal; however, the management against failed to fulfill the promises that were made with her.

While talking to Daily Times, Abida Zahid said that she sacrificed her family life for the games. She said she had spent up to six months in training camps and did touch practicing, but in return the management had been insulting her for the past 16 years.

According to WAPDA rules, on every one gold medal the player will be awarded one-step promotion. She maintained that she also approached the court for her promotion in 2010 and after the struggle of more than 3 years in 2014 the court issued a judgment in her favor and directed the management to give her promotion as per the rules, but the department does not bother the court orders as well.

In a departmental letter, the Director General of WAPDA sports board has recommended the department to give her promotion and it there is no position that she deserve to create a post for her and promote her. Even then the IESCO management is not giving her right.

After the mean less struggle of 16 years Abida Zahid has stopped playing games in protest.

Zahid Rasheed – her husband – said the degrading behavior of the IESCO management has destroyed her mentally. Instead of encouraging the talent the IESCO management is making them worst example for the youth.

He maintained, Abida also served as a coach in 2008 and in her leadership their team won 1 Gold and 4 browns medals.

“Abida received many offers from different National teams, including Pak Army, but IESCO management was neither letting her go nor giving her rights,” he added.

When contact, Muhammad Razzaq Gill, General Secretary, WAPDA Sports Board, said he was not aware of Abida’s case, however, the WAPDA sports board ensures the promotion of each player as per the rules and regulations.

“If Abida has not been promoted, she should contact the sports board again. We will take up her case on merit,” he maintained.

Despite repeated attempts, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) spokesperson, Raja Asim, did not responded to the questions sent to him regarding Abida Zahid case.