PM announces Rs150m for Arshad Nadeem

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a Rs 150 million for Olympic record-breaker Arshad Nadeem, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Tuesday.

He made the announcement during his address at a dinner he hosted in honour of Arshad.  The prime minister announced Rs10 for Arshad Nadeem's coach Salman Iqbal Butt.

Arshad Nadeem won the historic Olympics gold medal for Pakistan in a record-breaking fashion in Paris Olympics 2024 last week. He broke the Olympic record with a monstrous 92.97-metre throw, the sixth-longest all-time throw.

The previous Olympic record was of Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway which he made during the 2008 Olympics with a throw of 90.57m. His two throws went ahead of the previous Olympic record.

Defending champion India’s Neeraj Chopra came in second with 89.45m followed by Grenada’s Anderson Peters in third with an 88.54m throw.

The prime minister heaped praise on Arshad for bringing the Olympic gold to Pakistan after four decades. It is also Pakistan’s first-ever medal in Athletics and first-ever individual Olympics gold medal.

PM Shehbaz said Arshad Nadeem is the pride of the nation and he set the precedent for the youth.

He said the Arshad proved that hard work and commitment take a person to success.

He added that the government is ready to invest further in the field of sports to reclaim Pakistan's position on global stage.

Arshad Nadeem said the prayers of his parents and nation are behind his success. He expressed his gratitude to the nation for the prayers. He mentioned his coach’s hard work while recounting the great feat.

Earlier on his arrival at the PMO,  he was received with a standing ovation by PM Shehbaz Sharif and other government officials.

Nadeem was accompanied by his family and coach Salman Butt on the occasion.

The javelin gem Nadeem was accorded a heroic welcome on his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase. In his remarks, Olympic Champion of Javelin throw Arshad Nadeem thanked Almighty Allah and the entire nation for their support and prayers which led to his success.

While mentioning Punjab Youth Festivals organized by the then provincial government in 2012 and 2014, he said the then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation of his success which resulted in securing this big achievement of winning the gold medal in the Paris Olympics.

Arshad Nadeem expressed his resolve to continue to work hard to make the nation proud of him.