Little Athletics Victoria community mourns the loss of Zulqarnain Haider

The local Little Athletics club of rising Victorian star Zulqarnain Haider has shared an emotional tribute to the 14-year-old following his sudden death this week.

Zulqarnain Haider is being remembered for his wonderful talents.

A rising star of Victorian athletics is being remembered for his “extraordinary ability” following his sudden death.

Zulqarnain Haider was a star of the Keilor Little Athletics Club and had represented Victoria on the national stage.

At just 14, Haider had set countless records and had a sporting resume some could only dream of.

On Thursday night, his local club posted a moving tribute to their budding superstar.

“Earlier this week we received the shocking news that Zulqarnain Haider passed away over the weekend and we shared this sad news with our Keilor Little Athletics community. Zulq was an incredible athlete who had a significant impact at a club, region, and state level. His determination, talent and warm personality will be missed.

“We have extended our deepest condolences to Zulq’s family.

“As a club we are thankful for the support and messages from Little Athletics Victoria and the other Little Athletics Centres across Victoria and around Australia. Your kind words have shown what an incredible community Little Athletics is, and we hope they bring comfort to Zulq’s family.

“Keilor Little Athletics family, we will shortly be providing details of support available for our athletes and families during this time, and will share these details with you all shortly.”

Little Athletics Australia chief executive Myles Foreman passed on his condolences to Haider’s family.

“The Little Athletics Community is shocked and saddened by the devastating news of Keilor Little Athlete Zulqarnain Haider’s sudden passing,” he said.

‘Zulq’ had a warm personality and was an outstanding athlete who had already achieved much at all levels of athletics.

On behalf of the Little Athletics Community, I extend Little Athletics Australia’s deepest condolences to Zulq’s family and the Keilor Little Athletics Community.”

Little Athletics Victoria had shared its own post earlier in the day.

“Little Athletics Victoria is shocked and saddened to learn of the recent and sudden passing of Keilor Little Athlete, Zulqarnain Haider,” the state’s governing body said in a social media post.

“Zulq, to those who knew him, was an athlete with extraordinary ability. His athletics achievements in his very short life were possibly peerless.”

Fellow Little Athletics centres from across the state were quick to post their own memories of the young star.

“He was an incredible athlete and had achieved so much in his short life. The name ‘Zulq’ will be remembered in the little athletics community,” Oakleigh Little Athletics Centre posted.

A post from the Whittlesea City centre said: “Zulq was an incredible athlete with an outstanding resume showcasing his athletics ability. His talent was certainly noticed by many WCLAC athletes and coaches and we will certainly feel his loss at future NMR and state events.”

In social media comments, hundreds left their own tributes for the budding star.

“He was a delight to watch, had a very bright future and he will be heavily missed in the athletics community. Had the privilege to watch him compete with my son and always in awe with how gifted and fast he was. It will not be the same watching that age group racing without Zulq beside them,” one person said.

Another commenter said: “Was always in awe watching him race, what a brilliant athlete.”