When nine-year-old Kainat Khalil finished ahead of adult runners on Pakistan’s road-running circuit, her performance should have been recognised as an extraordinary display of talent. Instead, it ignited a controversy that has exposed deep inconsistencies in sports governance, weak child-safeguarding mechanisms and the selective enforcement of age-eligibility rules.

Kainat was recently stopped from officially competing in the 21-kilometre half marathon at the recent BYD Karachi Marathon 2026, despite having been registered and allowed to start the race.

Although she recorded one of the strongest times on the course, organisers later declared her ineligible, awarding her an honorary prize instead and publicly criticising her coach for entering a child in a long-distance event.

The incident followed an earlier episode at the National Games 2025, where Kainat was barred from competing in the 5,000-metre race after having already won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres. In both instances, intervention came only after the child had competed — and succeeded.

Kainat Khalil recently won a half-marathon but was not awarded a medal. She also won a bronze in a 10,000m event but was stopped from competing in the 5,000m event. The reason: she is only nine years old. Why are sports rules being enforced only once a child wins?

AN EMERGING ATHLETE

A third-grade student, Kainat has been running competitively for just over a year. In that time, she has participated in several high-profile events, finishing third in the 5km race at the........

© Dawn (Magazines)