Javelin star Arshad Nadeem is gearing up for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, and will be heading to Germany for training. As Pakistan hopes to end its 32-year medal drought at the Games, Nadeem aims to give his best performance on the international stage.
In a news conference with the Athletics Federation of Pakistan’s president, Akram Sahi, Arshad expressed his concern over the lack of high-quality training facilities in his home country. He emphasized the need for the government to take steps toward developing world-class training centers in Pakistan.
Following his outstanding silver medal win at the World Athletics Championship last month, Arshad was awarded a cash prize of Rs3 million by the caretaker Provincial Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in Punjab, Wahab Riaz. Despite narrowly missing the gold by 35 centimeters in Budapest, Nadeem remains determined to secure a gold medal at the Asian Games in China later this month. The competition looks intense, with India’s Neeraj Chopra vying for the top spot as well.
Arshad maintains a mindset of competing with himself to reduce performance pressure. He believes that focusing on his personal growth and improvement will lead to success in his athletic endeavors.
The Athletics Federation of Pakistan is also investing in nurturing future talents. Mohammad Yasir, who won a bronze medal in javelin at the Asian Athletics Championship in July, is being prepared for future competitions. Additionally, sprinter Shajar Abbas will train in Jamaica for the Olympics.
Akram Sahi, the president of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan, highlighted the progress made since his tenure began in 2011. He discussed the “Vision 2023” plan to elevate Pakistan’s athletic prowess on the global stage, envisioning a time when the nation’s flag will be raised and its anthem heard worldwide. However, Sahi stressed the importance of the government’s support and investment in aspiring athletes, as there is abundant talent in the country that needs proper resources and guidance to excel at the international level.