Pakistan president to confer civilian award on Arshad Nadeem after historic Olympic gold

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday issued instructions to award one of the country’s highest civilian honors to javelin ace Arshad Nadeem, who won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics with a massive throw of 92.97 meters this week.
Nadeem, who hails from a poor family in a rural settlement in the central Pakistani region of Khanewal, made history by ending his country’s 32-year Olympic medal drought while setting a new Games record.
He was expected to face tight competition from other athletes, particularly India’s defending champion Neeraj Chopra, but put significant pressure on them with his record-breaking throw on the second attempt.
The Pakistani athlete stood on the winners’ podium set in Champions Park near the Eiffel Tower on Friday, with his country’s flag hoisted high and the national anthem playing in the background.
“President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the awarding of Hilal-e-Imtiaz to Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem for his record performance in the Olympics,” an official statement announced.
“The President will present the civil award to Arshad Nadeem in a special ceremony in recognition of his outstanding services in the field of sports,” it added.
The statement mentioned the Presidency had sent a letter to the Cabinet Division on Zardari’s instruction to confer the honor on the Pakistani athlete.
“Arshad Nadeem has made the nation proud with his exceptional performance on the field,” Zardari was quoted as saying.
He emphasized that Nadeem’s achievement on the global stage had become a source of pride for the nation.
Hilal-e-Imtiaz, or Crescent of Excellence, has been conferred in the past to distinguished Pakistanis in diverse fields, including literature, arts, science and public service.