Arshad Nadeem poses with the gold medal at the Paris Olympics
Photo: AP
KEY POINTS
- Arshad Nadeem won gold for Pakistan at the 2024 Paris Olympics in javelin throw.
- Nadeem gave Pakistan its first individual gold in the history of the Games.
- He defeated defending champion Neeraj Chopra to claim first place.
A dispute has arisen within PakistanPakistan’s sports community attended a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to honour the Olympic gold medallist in javelin throw. Arshad NadeemSeveral former Olympians in hockey have expressed their displeasure, claiming that their invitations to the event were withdrawn at the last minute due to “guest management” complications.
The top javelin thrower ended a long wait for Olympic gold for his country by winning the event at the Paris 2024 Games with a record-breaking throw of 92.97m. Upon his return to Pakistan, Nadeem has been celebrated from various quarters. Recently, the Punjab government awarded him 10 million Pakistani rupees and a brand new car in recognition of his historic achievement.
However, on Saturday, former hockey player Rao Saleem Nazim alleged that the Pakistan government disrespected several Olympic athletes by cancelling their invitations to the gala dinner held in honour of Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, citing the management of the guests as the reason. Rao is responsible for running the former Pakistan hockey players forum.
“Prime Minister’s House had sent out invitations to several hockey stalwarts to attend the function and they all received emails confirming their invitations,” he was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“Is this how you show respect to players who have brought not just one, but several Olympic hockey medals to the country?” the 69-year-old added.
The incident has sparked a debate about the treatment of former athletes and the apparent hierarchy that prevails in Pakistani sport. While Arshad Nadeem’s remarkable success deserves to be celebrated, the controversy highlights the importance of being sensitive and inclusive when recognising sporting achievements, especially in a country facing a decline in its once-thriving hockey programme.
Pakistan’s last Olympic gold medal before Arshad was won in 1983 at the Los Angeles Games, when the country emerged victorious in the hockey final. The last time Pakistan won a medal at the Summer Olympics was also in hockey, when it claimed a bronze medal in 1992.
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