Upbeat Arshad sets sights on Olympic medal

PARIS: Fit and ready Arshad Nadeem called for prayers and best wishes from the whole nation back home as he sets his sights on the Olympics medal just a week ahead of Pakistan Independence Day, hoping to breeze through finals following Tuesday’s qualification round and then to make an all-out effort to win a medal at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with ‘The News’ here at the Olympic Village Monday, a day ahead of the javelin throw qualifying round, Arshad said he was all geared up for the big occasion. “I want to do it for the entire nation. All I need is the nation’s prayers and best wishes so that I can be in a position to make my best efforts to not only qualify but to win a medal.”

On his form and fitness country’s ace athlete claimed he was looking fitter than ever and ready to put up the efforts he was hoping for. “I am completely fit and ready to make the best of the opportunities. I know I narrowly missed the Olympic medal opportunity in Tokyo four years back. I want to make my best efforts this time around to first get through to the finals and then to make an all-out attempt to win a gold medal on August 8. I want to win a medal to bring happiness to the faces of the entire nation ahead of Independence Day’s celebrations on August 14.”

Arshad took a complete rest Monday as was advised by his coach Salman Butt. “There is no training on Monday, a day ahead of the qualifying round. Earlier, I have trained hard in the run-up to the Olympic competition, making every possible effort to be in the best of physically and mentally during the Paris Olympics. Thank God Almighty I am in very good shape. I need prayers so that I could be in a position to make my best efforts on the given day.”

Arshad’s best throw where he covered 90.18m (Commonwealth) could be enough this time around to even win him a gold. As many as 16 javelin throwers have been lined up in Group A while the real fight will be seen in Group B where the heavy and talented field also consists of 16 top javelin throwers. Neeraj Chopra who won a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics has not so far touched 90m. His 87-meter throw was enough to earn him gold at the last Olympics.

The qualification standard has been set at 84m with the best 12 javelin throwers expected to make it to the finals to be held on Thursday. Independent experts here in Paris believe that Arshad has a very good chance of springing a surprise and making the Paris Olympics a historic one for Pakistan sports. Pakistan’s long draught of Olympic medals may end Thursday if all plans for Arshad go according to the written script.

The last time Pakistan won a medal at the Olympics was in Barcelona in 1992 when the star-studded hockey team ended up with bronze. In the individual event, Hussain Shah won bronze for the country in the 1988 Seoul Olympics boxing competitions.