KARACHI:
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s ace athlete Arshad Nadeem returned home after winning two gold medals in the javelin throw with a record throw of 90.18 metres at the Commonwealth Games and Islamic Solidarity Games. He was welcomed by his fans, family and officials of Pakistan Sports Board. Everyone was full of emotions, and they chanted ‘Long live Arshad Nadeem, long live Pakistan!’
In an interview with the media, Nadeem called on the government to provide world-class training facilities for national players. He said, “I am grateful to my coaches and the federation for their support. Even after being injured, I didn’t lose hope. I urge the government to provide us with international-level training and dedicated facilities for our athletes.”
Besides Arshad Nadeem, many other Pakistani athletes performed remarkably at the Commonwealth Games without any state support or facilities. Therefore, it is high time that the government invested in different sports to provide athletes with adequate facilities so that they can perform at the international level.
Mishaal Fatima
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2022.
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