Before the age of 8, Haseeb was non-verbal and did not respond when called. In school, he often sat alone, avoided eye contact, struggled to communicate, and had meltdowns. At 12 years old, he was diagnosed with autism. It was then that his mother enrolled him in a special education school where he passed his secondary school examinations and secured a scholarship.
He was introduced to the world of sports by a Special Olympics Pakistan coach. He also spoke publicly for the first time at a Special Olympics event and has not looked back since. In 2013, he competed in the SOAP Regional Games held in Australia. After his victory on the track, he picked up road cycling and trains regularly with professional coaches.
Haseeb’s achievements have gone beyond the world of sports. At 17, he made it to the TEDx stage, where he earned a standing ovation. He recently published a book chronicling stories of people with intellectual disabilities and has been visiting schools across Pakistan to share these stories. He is also the host of two TV shows in Pakistan where he advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and fights for a more inclusive community. He is now in the midst of completing his diploma in special education.
