Arshad Nadeem is currently Pakistan’s most celebrated sportsperson, having secured the country’s first-ever individual gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He achieved this historic feat with an Olympic record javelin throw of 92.97 meters, finishing ahead of India’s Neeraj Chopra, who claimed the silver with his season-best throw of 89.45 meters.
Nadeem, who hails from the rural area of Khanewal in Punjab, faced significant challenges in his early career. With limited resources to train and compete internationally, he relied on financial support from fellow villagers and relatives to participate in competitions abroad.
Now, Nadeem is receiving widespread recognition and financial rewards for his achievement. On Tuesday, Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, visited him in Mian Channu and awarded him a cash prize of 10 crore Pakistani Rupees.
Additionally, he was gifted a Honda Civic with a special registration number, PAK-92.97, in honor of his Olympic record.
Pakistan may be showering its Olympic gold medalist, Arshad Nadeem, with cash awards and valuable prizes, but his father-in-law has chosen a unique gift—a buffalo—aligning with Nadeem’s rural upbringing and local traditions.
Muhammad Nawaz, Nadeem’s father-in-law, explained to local media in the athlete’s village on Sunday that in their community, gifting a buffalo is considered highly valuable and honorable.
Nadeem secured victory in the javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters, surpassing India’s Neeraj Chopra, who finished second.
ماں باپ کی دعا انسان کو کہاں پہنچا دیتی ہے ! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QjMvX29SjA
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 13, 2024
REMEMBER THE NUMBER 92.97🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/DOsIZCz8Zx
— PMLN (@pmln_org) August 13, 2024
In the wake of Nadeem’s triumph, reports have surfaced that Pakistani-American businessman Ali Sheikhani plans to gift him a brand-new car as a reward for his historic achievement. This announcement was reportedly made by Pakistani activist Syed Zafar Abbas Jafri in a video, and a fan recently shared the news on X, saying, “Update: Pakistani-American businessman Ali Sheikhani has announced a brand new Suzuki Alto car for Arshad Nadeem for winning Gold medal in Paris Olympics. Well deserved.”
Additionally, Arshad Nadeem has received substantial financial rewards from various officials, including 100 million PKR from Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, 2 million PKR from Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, and 50 million PKR from the Chief Minister of Sindh.
Nadeem, who hails from Khanewal in Pakistan’s Punjab, comes from a humble background as one of eight children.
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