Muslim athlete Arshad Nadeem who won a javelin gold medal at the Paris Olympics for a world record-breaking throw has received a hero’s welcome, sponsorships and significant financial rewards from the government.
Three remarkable sisters who have etched their names in history by consistently winning gold medals for Pakistan in the sport of powerlifting, however, have watched the happenings with mixed feelings. While acknowledging that Nadeem deserved the recognition, they have come out wondering about the evident discrepancy between Nadeem's welcome and their own experience, and asked whether their Christian faith might have been an obstalce for the government to recognize their own contribution to the nation.
In a video message posted on social media, the Sohail sisters – Twinkle Sohail, Sybil Sohail and Veronica Sohail – said, “We are sincerely happy for brother Arshad Nadeem for winning the Olympics gold medal and how the people and the government are celebrating his achievement.”
But highlighting their accomplishments, they said, “We have also won accolades for our country by winning gold medals at the Asian Pacific African Combined Powerlifting Championship held in South Africa last month and in other championships over the years. Unfortunately, we have never been shown this kind of love and honour by our fellow countrymen or the government.”
“Is our Christian faith a barrier to recognition?” they asked.
Their father, Sohail Javed Khokhar told Christian Daily International that the Pakistani government’s silence had demoralized his daughters.
“When they returned to Pakistan after winning the championship in South Africa no government official or minister was at the airport to welcome them like they did for Arshad Nadeem. Even before Nadeem returned to Pakistan, government and private entities and individuals had begun announcing huge rewards for him. On the other hand, my daughters have never been given any reward, making us think that our Christian faith is the reason for this indifferent treatment,” the father said.
Denying claims by some provincial ministers that the government had fully facilitated the sisters, Khokhar said that the Punjab government had only provided the airfare for his daughters' visit to South Africa while all the remaining expenses, including hotel accommodation, food, and other costs were borne by him.
He added that after his daughters’ voices echoed across social media, a Christian provincial lawmaker Falbous Christopher in a Facebook video post announced a reward of 500,000 Pakistani Rupees [1794 USD] for the sisters.
“We’ve also heard about Christopher’s announcement but he hasn’t contacted us yet. We appreciate his gesture but it is the government’s attitude that has pained us.”
‘Symbols of resilience’
At the Asian Pacific African Combined Powerlifting Championship held in July, Sybil Sohail, Veronika Sohail and Twinkle Sohail competed in the 52 kg, 57 kg and 84 kg categories respectively, bagging four gold medals each in squat, bench press, deadlift, and overall weight.
Though a provincial sports minister and the chairman of the prime minister’s youth program praised them on X (formerly twitter) for their record-breaking performance, the Sohail sisters deserved more – a tangible acknowledgement of their achievements, the father contended.
The sisters are not just powerlifters; they are considered as symbols of resilience, breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. Their story is one of unwavering determination and the pursuit of excellence.
Hailing from a modest background, their father Sohail Khokhar had always encouraged them to pursue their dreams, even when societal norms dictated otherwise. Their journey began in a small neighborhood gym, where they discovered their passion for powerlifting. With sheer determination, they honed their skills, lifting weights that defied expectations, and elevated Pakistan’s stature in international weightlifting.
Twinkle Sohail, 21, is studying BS Sports Sciences at the University of Lahore. In 2015, she became the first Pakistani female powerlifter to win four gold medals in the 47 kg category of Junior (Under-21) at the Asian Bench-Press Championship (ABP) held in Oman.
Sybil Sohail followed her sister’s footsteps and made headlines after winning gold for squat, bench press, deadlift, and total weight at the International Oceania Pacific Powerlifting Championship held in Singapore in 2017. She graduated with a degree in BS Sports Sciences and Physical Education from Punjab University and is currently pursuing a PhD.
Veronica Sohail, studying at St. Anthony's College, Lahore won a gold medal in the women’s Under-17, 47 kg category at the Asian Pacific Classic and Equipped Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships 2018, held in Dubai.
Last but not the least, their fourth sister Mariyum Sohail is a national champion in weightlifting and powerlifting. She won a bronze medal at the ABP 2018.
The sisters – also known as ‘Power Girls’ – received international recognition for creating a unique record in 2018, at the ABP Championship held in Dubai. The Asian Powerlifting Federation (APF) in a statement at that time said, “In the APF powerlifting history, we never had four sisters competing at any powerlifting event and all four winning medals.”
The Sohail sisters have inspired countless young girls across Pakistan and their story has served as a reminder that talent transcends religious boundaries. Perhaps a day will come when the government would acknowledge their achievements, they hope. Not as Christian athletes but as proud representatives of Pakistan.
