ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a cash prize of Rs150 million ($538,000) and a civil award for Pakistani javelin hero Arshad Nadeem for winning Olympic gold, Pakistani state media reported.
Last Thursday, Nadeem set off celebrations across Pakistan when his throw easily surpassed the previous Olympic mark of 90.57 set by Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway in 2008. It was also well clear of India’s Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo champion, who reached a season-best 89.45 for silver.
The announcement by the Pakistan premier came at a dinner ceremony held in Islamabad in honor of Nadeem. PM Sharif paid a tribute to Nadeem for his success in the men’s javelin throw competition at Paris Olympics 2024, describing him as a “bright example” for young athletes, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Success of Arshad Nadeem provides an ample proof that meager resources, difficulties and challenges are not a hurdle in the way of success,” Sharif was quoted as saying.
The prime minister announced Hilal Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award, for Nadeem for winning Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medal in 40 years.
He also announced the establishment of Arshad Nadeem High Performance Academy at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, where athletes and players would be trained for the 2028 Olympics, and a sports endowment fund of Rs1 billion, according to the report.
Earlier on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Nadeem’s house in his village in the Mian Channu district and presented him with a cheque for Rs100 million rupees ($359,000).
Nawaz also handed him keys to a new car which had a special registration number of “PAK 92.97” to commemorate Nadeem’s massive throw in Paris. Nadeem’s coach Salman Iqbal Butt was also given 5 million rupees ($18,000).