In a grand display of national pride and recognition, Pakistan’s Olympic javelin gold medalist Arshad Nadeem was awarded a total of 250 million pakistani rupees (approximately $897,000) on Tuesday as part of a celebration honoring his historic achievement at the Paris Games.
The awards began with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presenting Nadeem with 150 million rupees (about $538,000) during a special ceremony in Islamabad. Sharif’s announcement highlighted the significance of Nadeem’s accomplishment, which saw him set an Olympic record with a javelin throw of 92.97 meters.
The celebration continued with Punjab’s Chief Minister Mariam Nawaz visiting Nadeem’s residence in Mian Channu district, where she awarded him 100 million rupees (around $359,000). In a gesture that underscored the historic nature of Nadeem’s throw, Nawaz also gifted him a new car, which bears the special registration number “PAK 92.97” in honor of his record-breaking performance.
Additionally, Nadeem’s coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, was recognized with a reward of 5 million rupees (approximately $18,000) for his role in Nadeem’s success.
Prime Minister Sharif praised Nadeem’s achievement as a source of immense national pride, stating, “You have doubled the delight of 250 million Pakistanis because we’ll also celebrate our Independence Day tomorrow. Today every Pakistani is happy and the morale of the whole country is sky high.” The timing of the awards, coinciding with the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, added to the festive atmosphere surrounding the celebration.
Nadeem’s landmark victory at the Paris Olympics has not only brought him personal acclaim but also significant national recognition. His father, a daily wage laborer, has seen his son’s success transform their lives and bring pride to their community. The athlete’s performance in Paris has become a symbol of hope and achievement for Pakistan, showcasing the country’s emerging talent on the global stage.
The awards and recognition from Pakistan show that they appreciate the efforts from Nadeem but it also highlights the double standards from Pakistan’s government who, as Nadeem himself acknowledged, did not provide any assistance to him during his training till the Olympic finals, monetarily or otherwise. This shows that when you win then only the world recognizes you otherwise no one cares about you.
