By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem was honoured with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award in the Global Breakthrough Athlete category on Monday at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, capping a year of triumphs for the athlete who shattered records at the Paris Games.
Nadeem, 27, received the accolade for his gold-medal throw of 92.97 metres in August 2024, which set a new Olympic record and eclipsed the previous mark held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen for 16 years. The victory marked Pakistan’s first-ever Olympic gold in javelin and sparked nationwide celebrations.
Speaking after the ceremony, Nadeem described the award as a proud moment for him and his country, saying international recognition would inspire young athletes and draw greater focus to the sport in Pakistan. His next targets are gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, he added, noting that the Dubai honour had boosted his confidence and drive.
In a separate interview with local news channel on the summit’s sidelines, Nadeem thanked the Dubai government for the award, calling the recognition alongside global sports stars a source of pride for Pakistan. “The encouragement I have received here strengthens an athlete’s belief. Confidence and motivation are what a sportsman needs most,” he said, stressing that such accolades play a vital role in pushing athletes to aim higher. Nadeem said he would start formal training in January to prepare for the 2026 events, with the clear goal of securing gold rather than mere participation.
The two-day summit, running from December 29 to 30, has drawn over 1,500 sports leaders, policymakers and athletes to discuss the industry’s future under the theme “Uniting the World Through Sport,” according to the Emirates News Agency. Established in 2008, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award celebrates outstanding achievements and contributions in sport worldwide. Nadeem was the sole Pakistani athlete at this year’s gathering of industry figures.
Back home, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar hailed the win as “an honor for Pakistan,” posting on social media platform X: “Arshad Nadeem is our pride.” Nadeem’s medal haul extends beyond the Olympics, including successes at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Last month, he claimed gold in the men’s javelin at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia with a throw of 83.05 metres. News channels broadcast footage of Nadeem accepting the award in Dubai, underscoring his rising stature on the global stage.
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