ISLAMABAD: A day after Arshad Nadeem claimed historic gold in the summer Olympics, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has claimed that the government has stood firmly behind the athlete and denied reports claiming that Nadeem did not receive financial support during his training.
In a statement, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), under which the Pakistan Sports Board operates, said Arshad was provided with unwavering financial and technical support throughout his career.
Yesterday night, javelin ace Arshad etched his name into the history books with a monstrous throw of 92.97m, which became the new Olympic Record and secured Pakistan’s first-ever individual gold.
The statement from IPC and PSB said, “The government throughout Arshad Nadeem’s career provided him with unwavering financial and technical support.”
“Pakistan Sports Board and the Athletics Federation made all the arrangements for his training, and the administration supported the athlete both within and outside the country,” the statement added.
According to the sports board, in just the past three years, Arshad was awarded with Rs22 million in cash awards. Moreover, in the 2023-24 financial year, Rs69 million was dedicated to the Athletics Federation to uplift athletes across the nation,” the statement added.
Considering the situation of sports in Pakistan, the government remained under criticism for not providing enough support to the country’s top javelin throwers and other athletes.
Arshad Nadeem, 27, has so far clinched 9th international medals since 2016 including Bronze in Asian Junior Athletics Champions 2016, Bronze in South Asian Games 2016, Bronze in Asian Games 2018, Gold in South Asian Games 2019, Gold and Bronze in Islamic Solidarity Games 2021 and 2017, respectively.
Moreover, Mian Channu-born athlete secured Gold in the Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022, Silver in the World Championship Budapest 2023, and now Gold in the Paris Olympic Games 2024 becoming the world champion.
