The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) held a ceremony to honour Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, where ICCI President Ahsan Bakhtavari personally presented Nadeem with a check for one million rupees, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Tuesday.

The Chamber officials also announced a total of Rs5 million in support of Nadeem, recognizing his remarkable achievement in bringing glory to Pakistan.

"Arshad Nadeem has made the country proud with his gold medal victory at the Olympics," said Bakhtavari, adding that the youth have been greatly inspired by Nadeem’s historic accomplishment.

He emphasized the importance of nurturing future talent by establishing the Arshad Nadeem Academy to train the youth in sports.

Bakhtavari highlighted the significance of celebrating Nadeem’s victory at the national level, noting that his success has rekindled hope and pride among the nation’s youth. He expressed optimism for future Olympic successes, urging for more than one gold medal in the next Games.

The ICCI President also announced plans to establish an academy in Islamabad named after Arshad Nadeem, ensuring the business community’s continued support for the athlete. "Arshad Nadeem is a role model for the youth, and the business community will always stand by him," Bakhtavari stated, stressing the need to develop sports fields to engage the youth in sports.

Vice President Fad Waheed commended Nadeem’s perseverance, noting that his success despite limited resources is admirable. Arshad Nadeem’s coach also expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the challenges of advancing sports in Pakistan without government support.

Secretary General of the United Business Group, Zafar Bakhtavari, praised Nadeem for instilling new hope in a nation that had grown despondent. "This gold medal is not just an achievement; it is a symbol of honor and dignity for the Pakistani nation," Bakhtavari remarked. He called for unity, highlighting Nadeem as a national hero who transcends divisions.

In his speech, Arshad Nadeem thanked the ICCI, his coach, his parents, and the Pakistani nation for their prayers and support, vowing to continue striving for success in the future.