The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has conferred its highest honour upon ACTIVIT CEO and Director of National Hospital DHA Lahore, Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, in recognition of his outstanding role in uplifting Pakistan’s athletes through sustained financial, medical, and performance support.
The honour was presented by Director General PSB, Muhammad Yasir Pirzada, who lauded Rizwan’s impactful efforts in strengthening the country’s sporting ecosystem. This recognition places Rizwan Aftab Ahmed among a select group of individuals whose contributions extend beyond conventional patronage, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to athlete welfare, wellness, and excellence. His support has notably benefited Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, along with many other elite-level athletes, by providing essential financial backing and medical care.
Speaking at the ceremony, Muhammad Yasir Pirzada praised Rizwan’s dedication, stating that his support for athletes represents a model partnership between the private sector and national sports institutions. He emphasised that such contributions are vital for nurturing talent and enabling Pakistani athletes to compete at the highest global levels.
In recognition of his services, the Pakistan Sports Board presented Rizwan with its prestigious shield, symbolising appreciation for his consistent efforts to empower athletes and elevate Pakistan’s sporting profile internationally.
Expressing his gratitude, Rizwan described the honour as both humbling and motivating. He reiterated his commitment to supporting athletes and contributing to Pakistan’s success on the global stage. Reflecting on his inspiration, he highlighted his family’s longstanding legacy of national service. His maternal great-grandfather, Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, was a prominent statesman who served alongside Muhammad Ali Jinnah and held key ministerial roles. He also led the Pakistan Hockey Federation during his career.
Rizwan further noted that his grandfather, Iftikhar Ahmed Shah, represented Pakistan in swimming at the 1948 London Olympics, while his father, Prof Dr. Aftab Ahmed, is widely regarded as a pioneer of orthopaedic surgery in the country.
Despite his contributions, Rizwan remained modest about his role in Arshad Nadeem’s success, attributing the athlete’s achievements primarily to his relentless hard work, the prayers of his parents, and the guidance of his coaches and mentors. He also acknowledged the critical support of his cousin, Dr. Ali Bajwa, particularly in assisting Nadeem’s recovery from injury ahead of his historic Olympic triumph.
Highlighting his continued commitment, Rizwan announced that, in his capacity as CEO of ACTIVIT and Director of National Hospital DHA Lahore, state-of-the-art medical facilities would remain accessible to the Pakistan Sports Board and its athletes. He expressed optimism about Pakistan’s future in international sports, stating that enabling athletes to achieve Olympic success remains both his vision and responsibility.
