By Meng Fanrong

GUIYANG, Jan. 14, (China Economic Net)- For Dr. Sayed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, a Pakistani rehabilitation specialist, China has become both a professional home and a platform to drive meaningful change in sports medicine. His professional journey, which began in 2018 with a PhD scholarship at the prestigious Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, has evolved into a multifaceted mission centered on athlete care, education and systemic improvement in Guizhou province.

Reflecting on his academic foundation, Dr Ali noted that the advanced laboratories, research funding, and publication support at the university convinced him that China was where he could accelerate his professional growth. After earning his doctorate in Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy in 2021, he transitioned into sports rehabilitation.

His expertise soon led him to the forefront of Chinese sports. Since April 2022, Ali has served as a rehabilitation specialist at the Qingzhen Sports Training Base under the Guizhou Bureau of Sports. In this role, he provided critical rehabilitation to injured athletes and training Chinese therapists and university interns in advanced clinical skills, including injury assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning.

Dr. Ali demonstrates rehabilitation skills in China, photo provided to CEN

He works closely with China’s elite athletes, including national, Olympic and provincial champions. “That discipline and hard work they carry is inspiring. It makes us dedicate ourselves more to helping them achieve their medals,” Ali noted, proud to contribute to the success of Guizhou athletes who have excelled in boxing and cycling at national and international events.

Driven by a passion for musculoskeletal therapy—a field where immediate relief can transform a patient's painful situation — Ali identified an opportunity to elevate local standards. He observed that clinical rehabilitation skills in the region needed strengthening and embarked on a mission to build a sustainable “local force”.

Drawing on the rigorous, hands-on training model of Pakistan’s five-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, Ali initiated intensive training for local interns. He trains 20-30 interns annually through observation, practical sessions and dedicated classes. “I needed to ensure the athletes’ recovery continued seamlessly, even when I was away. Building that local capability was essential,” he explained.

His efforts have borne fruit. Many of his former trainees now work with teams across China, from Guizhou to Hainan, applying their skills to bring positive changes in sports rehabilitation.

Recently, Ali moved up to a new role as director of sports rehabilitation at the Sealily Sports Rehabilitation Medical Center in Guiyang. This state-of-the-art, technology-oriented facility symbolizes his vision of integration. It bridges Western sports medicine with traditional Chinese medicine, offering services ranging from yoga and women’s healthcare to elite sports rehabilitation, with plans to incorporate holistic functional medicine.

Dr. Ali with family and friends in China, photo provided to CEN

“Working in China is professionally rewarding and personally balanced,” Ali remarks. He highlights the supportive, merit-based professional environment that allows him to contribute meaningfully while maintaining time for family and leisure.

Alongside his work in China, Ali remains committed to supporting aspiring professionals in Pakistan. He provides free career guidance, develops online resources on scholarships and employment opportunities in China, and has facilitated positions for several Pakistani therapists within Chinese sports institutions. He also advocates for deeper bilateral collaboration in sports such as hockey, boxing and cricket.

Fully integrated into life in Guizhou, Ali’s family—including his wife and two daughters, who attend local schools—enjoys exploring the natural and cultural environment, from mountain hikes and lakeside gatherings to visits to traditional villages.