Pakistan’s newly crowned Olympic gold medallist, Arshad Nadeem, will receive a gift of Buffalo from his father-in-law, Muhammad Nawaz, in a gesture that symbolises honour in their village.
Nawaz explained to local media that such a gift holds significant cultural importance in their community.
Nadeem won the javelin throw event in Paris with an Olympic record throw of 92.97 metres, besting India’s Neeraj Chopra to secure the gold. Nadeem’s father-in-law shared that he has four sons and three daughters, with his youngest daughter, Ayesha, married to Nadeem.
When Nawaz chose to marry his daughter to Nadeem six years ago, Nadeem was then engaged in small jobs and practised javelin throwing in local fields. Nawaz admired Nadeem’s dedication and passion for the sport, which has now led him to international acclaim. Nawaz expressed immense pride in Nadeem’s achievements.
“Whenever he comes to our house he never complains about anything and eats whatever is there at our home,” Nawaz said about Nadeem.
Nadeem’s homecoming was marked by a grand celebration as he returned to Pakistan early on Sunday. The athlete was met with a water cannon salute and chants from thousands of supporters. His arrival in Lahore was greeted by his family Nadeem’s victory has been particularly momentous for Pakistan, which has faced economic struggles.
The 27-year-old athlete’s gold medal win in the men’s javelin event was a historic moment for Pakistan, marking the country’s first Olympic medal in athletics. Nadeem’s performance, with a throw ranking as the sixth best, has captured the imagination of Pakistanis who celebrated with fireworks and dancing in his village of Mian Channu. Shahid Nadeem, Arshad’s eldest brother, reported that the village has been bustling with activity and joy, with visitors pouring in to congratulate the family.
Arshad Nadeem’s journey from a mud-brick house in rural Punjab to Olympic glory is particularly striking. Training with homemade javelins in wheat fields due to limited resources, Nadeem’s story resonates deeply, highlighting the disparity in sports funding within Pakistan.
While cricket and hockey often receive the bulk of the nation’s sports resources, Nadeem’s success in javelin throw underscores the potential and dedication of athletes in less-supported sports.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari also announced that Nadeem would receive the country’s second-highest civilian award, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, in recognition of his outstanding achievement.
