Javelin star Arshad Nadeem honoured
NEWSDESK
"As I prepare for the Olympics, I will do my utmost to honor the love and support I have received," Pakistan's ,main medal hope at the Paris Olympics Arshad Nadeem expressed his optimism and gratitude as his journey was celebrated by Pakistan’s largest telecom and ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G).
The Pakistani athletes often struggle despite having grit and deteremination to compete at the top level due to financial constraints and lack of recognition of their efforts and talent.
Arshad is finally receiving his due.
Although the sponsorships that are coming his way now should have been there before the Tokyo Olympics when he qualified for the Games for the first time and became the first Pakistani to directly qualify for Olympics track and field event.
The change in then attitudes and the latest trend of making hardworking and worthy athletes the brand ambassadors is a welcome change that would ensure sponsorship for international events but also help them gain traction much like the athletes from other countries do.
Arshad's friend off the field and foe on the field Neeraj Chopra has been having much more success commercially too, till last year he had at least 10 brand deals.
On Thursday it was announced that Arshad has signed up as a brand ambassador for the PTCL Group, which is his second endorsement announcement in less than two months.
This campaign around Arshad, ahead of the Paris Olympics, has been planned to be inspiring like Arshad's life and professional journey galvanizing nationwide support for him in the upcoming 2024 Summer Games.
Arshad achieved extraordinary feats in javelin throw at both national and international levels. In 2021, Arshad became the first Pakistani track and field athlete to qualify for the Olympics and finished fifth in the Tokyo Olympics.
He won gold for Pakistan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the country’s first athletic gold medal since 1962, and grabbed another gold at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games. He also secured a silver medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he also qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Despite the challenges, he continued to train and excel with limited personal resources and eventually persevered. Recognizing his determination and quest for glory, PTCL Group honors him as an inspiration for youth and the nation.
The initiative also aims to promote talent in sports beyond cricket, encouraging global competition in diverse disciplines.
Commenting on the initiative, Arshad Nadeem said, “I am grateful for their unwavering support and encouragement.
Their belief in my journey underscores the importance of perseverance and collective ambition in sports. It is heartening to see the Group actively championing young talent. With such robust support, Pakistan can undoubtedly make a significant mark on the global sports landscape.
As I prepare for the Olympics, I will do my utmost to honor the love and support I have received from PTCL Group and the nation."
“Arshad Nadeem is a national hero, and his journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. He exemplifies what can be achieved through unwavering passion and dedication, and we are honored to stand behind him as he continues to make Pakistan proud on the global stage.
By partnering with Arshad, we aim to highlight Pakistan’s exceptional talent and inspire a new standard of excellence in national sports, furthering PTCL Group’s commitment to promoting a vibrant sports culture in Pakistan," said Chief Marketing Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G, Syed Atif Raza.
The group is also supporting young talent through promoting a robust sports culture in the country, channeling their potential and energies toward constructive endeavors. Initiatives such as promotion of football, volleyball and others sports at the grassroots level, partnering with Cricket stars, and its enduring support for Pakistan’s Premier League (PSL) Cricket Tournament underscore the Group’s strategic focus in this direction.