PM Shehbaz announces Rs150m reward for Arshad Nadeem

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a reward of Rs150 million for Arshad Nadeem and Rs10 million for coach, Salman Iqbal Butt. The Olympic gold-medalist arrived at the PM House on Tuesday, accompanied by his family and coach, where he was honoured with a standing ovation.

Expressing his gratitude, Arshad thanked his family and the nation for their unwavering support and prayers, crediting them for his success in breaking the Olympic record in the javelin throw event, adding that his next goal is to break the world record.

Nadeem broke a century-old Olympic record by achieving a massive 92.27 metre javelin throw last week at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

PM Shehbaz shared that the star athlete and nation's pride will be presented with a Hilal-e-Imtiaz on the 77th Independence Day of Pakistan tomorrow on August 14. He further declared that the road between F-9 and F-10 sectors in Islamabad would be named after Nadeem.

He also unveiled plans to establish Arshad Nadeem High-Performance Academy at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad, to train athletes for the 2028 Olympics. He announced Rs1 billion Sports Endowment Fund aimed at supporting athletes, addressing the needs of retired sports figures, and providing top-tier training opportunities.

“I was overjoyed when God blessed me with the gold medal, and I look forward to celebrating August 14th with this achievement. Returning to Pakistan and receiving such overwhelming love from everyone has made me incredibly happy,” Nadeem said.

He extended his thanks to PM Shehbaz and the public for the warm reception he received upon his return, noting that the welcome was perhaps "even more gratifying than the medal itself."

“The respect and encouragement you all show embolden athletes to work harder and push their limits,” he added. He also acknowledged the tremendous effort that went into his journey and expressed gratitude to his coach and Dr Ali Sher Bajwa for their invaluable support.

Reflecting on his preparation for the Games, Nadeem shared that he had full confidence in himself, having given his all during training. "I secured my spot in the final at the Paris Olympics qualifying round with my first throw exceeding 86 meters. That’s when I knew I had a real shot at fighting for the gold in the final," he said.

Recalling the day of the final, he mentioned that while the other athletes were warming up, he was slightly concerned about an injury. His first throw resulted in a foul, but he remained focused.

“When I took the second throw, I took God’s name. As soon as the javelin left my hand, I knew it was over 90 meters,” Nadeem recounted. He told his coach afterward that not only was the gold medal secured, but he also felt confident about breaking the world record soon.

PM Shehbaz lauded the hard work and determination behind Nadeem's record-breaking success, stating that his victory was a remarkable gift to the nation ahead of Independence Day, amplifying the celebrations.

Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz arrived at Nadeem's home in a nearby village close to his hometown Mian Channu.

She presented him with a cheque for Rs100 million and gifted him a car in recognition of his achievements. He was also presented with a personalised number plate, PAK 92 97, for the vehicle refering to his record 92.97 metre throw at the Olympics.