By Staff Reporter
Mian Channu: The exact distance of Olympian Arshad Nadeem’s gold medal-winning javelin throw – 92.97m – is now emblazoned on his new car’s registration plate, a Honda Civic awarded to him along with a Rs100 million cheque for his historic win.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday visited Nadeem in his hometown and paid tribute and awards to his historic win at the Paris Olympics 2024.
The chief minister shared a picture of her sitting with Nadeem and his mother. “The heights that parents’ prayers take a person to!”, Nawaz said in a post on X. “Well done Arshad Nadeem,” she added in another post, sharing pictures of her adorning Nadeem with a medal.
“Arshad Nadeem has brought unprecedented happiness to the nation.”
Nadeem’s triumph has sparked widespread celebrations in Pakistan, with politicians announcing cash rewards and honors for the athlete.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced a Rs50 million cash award, provincial Sindh government Rs3.5 million while President Asif Ali Zardari announced the country’s highest civilian honor, the Hilal-e-Imtiaz.
Last Sunday, Pakistan welcomed home the golden boy with a hero’s welcome, as thousands gathered to hail the Olympic javelin champion with rose petals, cheers, and tears of pride after his historic victory ended a 40-year wait for an individual gold medal.
Nadeem’s historic performance in Paris marked Pakistan’s first individual medal at a Summer Games, beating defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India in a one-sided finale.
Pakistan had not seen an Olympic gold since 1984, when the national hockey team took top honors in Los Angeles. His achievement also ended a decades-long drought for the country, which last saw an Olympic medal at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Despite lacking proper training facilities, Nadeem, a 10-time international medalist, secured fifth position at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, silver at the World Championships last year, and gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, breaking the 90-meter barrier with a 90.18-meter throw.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will host a dinner for Nadeem and his family tonight at the PM House, after a special aircraft brought them to Islamabad, where they were received with state protocol.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar received Nadeem and his entourage, saying “There is no limit to our joy that a national hero has reached the capital.”
Tarar added that the prime minister has scheduled a state banquet in Nadeem’s honour, and that the Olympian and the premier would jointly participate in the flag-hoisting ceremony on Independence Day. Nadeem will also tour Peshawar and Karachi for events related to August 14.
The Athletics Federation of Pakistan has announced Umrah packages for Arshad and his family, who will travel after the celebratory events conclude.
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