Sports

PM announces award worth Rs2.5m for javelin athlete Arshad Nadeem

Javelin ace eyes representing Pakistan in Paris 2024 Olympics after undergoing knee surgery in UK

By APP
March 19, 2024
Pakistans ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (centre) on March 19, 2024. — PID
Pakistan's ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (centre) on March 19, 2024. — PID

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who achieved a historic feat of winning a silver medal in the World Athletics Championship 2023, and now eyeing to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday.

During a meeting with Nadeem, the world famed javelin throwing athlete, the premier praised his efforts to clinch the silver medal despite scant resources. His achievement made the nation proud, he added.

PM Shehbaz announced an award worth Rs2.5 million for Nadeem.

The prime minister said that there is immense talent in the country in sports which required to be groomed. He also underlined the need of focusing on promotion of sports in the rural areas.

Nadeem apprised the premier of his sports career and achievements.

The athelete said that he started his career during 2012 and participated in the Youth festival afterwards, he participated in different world events in various categories and represented Pakistan.

He termed his meeting with the prime minister as very constructive and highlighted various measures to promote sports in the country.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Romeena Khurshid Alam MNA and Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, a member of Punjab Assembly.

Gold medalist, Indias Neeraj Chopra (C), silver medalist, Pakistans Arshad Nadeem (L) and bronze medalist Czech Republics Jakub Vadlejch celebrate during the podium ceremony for the mens javelin throw during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on August 27, 2023. — AFP
Gold medalist, India's Neeraj Chopra (C), silver medalist, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem (L) and bronze medalist Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch celebrate during the podium ceremony for the men's javelin throw during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on August 27, 2023. — AFP  

The star javelin thrower made history on August 28, 2023, when he became the first Pakistani to win the first-ever medal for his country at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary with his best 87.82-metre throw.

India's Neeraj Chopra was able to secure the gold medal with his best throw of 88.17 metres.

Later in October last year, Nadeem ruled out of Asian Games due to a knee injury, which shattered the country’s hopes to win another medal.

In December 2022, the javelin ace underwent a successful elbow surgery in London.

Earlier in the month, the athlete started training, again, after undergoing a knee surgery in the United Kingdom (UK) as he eyes to represent the country in the Paris 2024 Olympics slated to be commenced in July 2024.