Mohammad Haris Jamal: Pakistan’s Young Runner Calls for Support for Child Athletes

Mohammad Haris Jamal, an eight-year-old runner and young adventure enthusiast, is calling attention to the need for greater support, recognition and opportunities for talented child athletes in Pakistan.

At a young age, Haris has already taken part in several challenging outdoor and mountain activities. His supporters also describe him as an unofficial Backyard Ultra champion and credit him with several unofficial running achievements.

However, these accomplishments have not yet received formal recognition from major sporting bodies.

Haris began taking part in mountain activities when he was only three years old. Since then, he has spent part of his annual summer school holidays in Pakistan’s northern mountain regions.

During these visits, he takes part in outdoor activities, adventure sports and physical training.

A challenging Khusargang expedition

Last year, Haris attempted to reach the summit of Khusargang. However, the expedition could not complete the climb.

This year, he returned after further training with the same goal.

The team aimed to reach the 6,064-metre summit. However, Haris’s father became seriously unwell at an altitude of around 5,700 metres.

As a result, the team decided to abandon the summit attempt and return.

During the descent, Haris began running and continued towards Shigar, according to those accompanying the expedition.

His supporters describe the effort as another unofficial running record. His GPS watch reportedly contains tracking information and timing data from the journey.

Members of the Sky Adventure team were also present during the expedition.

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A mission beyond running

For Haris, adventure and running represent more than personal achievement.

His wider goal is to promote sports and adventure tourism among children in Pakistan.

In an increasingly technology-driven world, he wants children to balance screen time with sports, physical activity and outdoor experiences.

He also encourages parents to introduce their children to nature and adventure.

According to his supporters, spending time outdoors can help children remain physically active while also developing confidence and resilience.

Haris believes education and physical activity should go together.

His message is simple: educate children, but also encourage them to play, exercise and explore the outdoors.

Call for better sporting opportunities

The story also raises wider questions about opportunities for young athletes in Pakistan.

Many schools and colleges lack adequate playgrounds and sporting facilities. In addition, many young athletes struggle to find proper training opportunities and platforms to showcase their abilities.

Haris’s supporters argue that talented children often receive little recognition, even after achieving remarkable results.

They say Haris has received his strongest support from his father, who has encouraged his sporting and outdoor activities from an early age.

His supporters also say GPS records and witnesses from his expeditions can provide evidence of his achievements.

However, they believe relevant sporting institutions should independently review and verify such achievements before granting any official recognition or record status.

A question for Pakistan

The story of Mohammad Haris Jamal is therefore about more than one young runner.

It raises a broader question about how Pakistan supports talented children.

Pakistan has many organisations that promote sports and youth development. Yet young athletes need more than public promises.

They need encouragement, training, safe facilities and opportunities.

They also need qualified coaches and appropriate supervision, especially when children participate in demanding sporting or mountain activities.

At just eight years old, Haris still has many years ahead of him.

His supporters believe his determination and passion deserve encouragement. More importantly, they hope his story will inspire families and institutions to support young people interested in sports and outdoor activities.

His vision focuses on several simple goals:

Educate children.
Keep children active.
Encourage outdoor activities.
Promote sports.
Support adventure tourism.
Build a healthier Pakistan.

The appeal from Haris and his supporters is directed at government institutions, sports organisations, schools, parents and communities.

Their message is clear: Pakistan should identify and support talented children before their potential goes unnoticed.

For Haris, the journey has only just begun. The question now is whether Pakistan’s sporting institutions and wider society will provide young athletes like him with the encouragement and opportunities they need to grow.