The unprecedented welcome — and generous prizes — for Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s javelin star, who registered an Olympic record in Paris last week to bring home the country’s first gold medal in 40 years, continued yesterday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosting a state banquet in Islamabad.
As well as announcing a tax-free reward of Rs150mn for Nadeem, he also announced the setting up of a high performance academy named after the much-feted star, an endowment fund for athletes, and a street also to be named after the national hero.
Earlier in the day, Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab chief minister and niece of the prime minister, visited Nadeem’s home in Mian Channu and presented him with a cheque for Rs100mn, a Honda Civic car with a unique registration number — 92.97 — signifying the massive throw unleashed by Nadeem in Paris.
Arshad Nadeem, accompanied by his family and coach Salman Iqbal Butt, arrived at the Prime Minister’s House, where they were warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after flying in a special Pakistan Air Force jet.
During the event, Nadeem expressed his gratitude to his family and the nation for their support and prayers, which he credited with helping him break the Olympic record in the javelin throw.
“I was very happy that God bestowed me with the gold medal and we will celebrate August 14th with this. I am very happy that I’ve come to Pakistan and you’re all giving me so much love,” he said. He further pledged, “I will train fully for all upcoming competitions and my next goal is...I will nab the world record.”
Nadeem will join the flag hoisting with the PM in Islamabad today.
He also extended his thanks to the prime minister and the nation for the warm reception upon his return, suggesting the honour was perhaps “even more so (worthy) than my medal.”
“All of you give respect and this emboldens players and they work hard and advance,” Nadeem noted. He acknowledged the immense effort that went into his journey, and thanked his coach and Dr Ali Sher Bajwa for their unwavering support. Sharing his experience from the day of the final, Arshad recalled how other competitors were warming up as he entered the field, while he was slightly concerned about an injury. Despite a foul on his first throw, Arshad remained determined.
“When I took the second throw...I took God’s name and when the [javelin] left my hand, I knew it was a throw over 90m,” he said. He confidently told his coach that the gold medal and the Olympic record were secured, and he was feeling optimistic about achieving the world record.
Sharif, speaking after Nadeem, hailed him as the “hero” of the nation. “Today is a moment of great pride and happiness not only for me and the government, but the whole nation whose beating heart and hero is Arshad Nadeem, who not only won and gave Pakistan a gold medal after 40 years...but also doubled our joy on this occasion of independence.”
Sharif reiterated Nadeem’s monumental achievement of securing an Olympic gold medal for Pakistan after 40 years and breaking the Olympic javelin world record. He said: “The example you’ve established in Paris is a shining one; I think I and the whole nation have been emboldened by your feat and we will definitely overcome our challenges while walking in your footsteps with unity and consensus, and together make Pakistan a great power.”
Sharif emphasised the responsibility of the federal and provincial governments as well as sport bodies to collaborate in reviving various sports. He announced the formation of a committee to explore how the federal government could contribute to restoring the country’s glory in sports.
Acknowledging the cash awards announced by the Sindh and Punjab governments for Nadeem, Sharif announced a reward of Rs150mn from the federal government for the Olympian and Rs10mn for his coach, adding with a smile, “There will be no tax on this.”
Additionally, the prime minister announced that a street in Islamabad would be named Arshad Nadeem Road.
“The story doesn’t end here, I also announce the establishment of Arshad Nadeem High Performance Academy at Jinnah (Sports) Stadium,” Sharif added, explaining that the academy would play a pivotal role in nurturing young talent for the next Olympics.
He also announced a sport endowment fund worth Rs1bn, aimed at fulfilling the needs of athletes, providing growth opportunities, and supporting retired players.