Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has revealed that he received offers from several countries to represent them on the international stage.
The javelin star made history as Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medalist after an exceptional throw of 92.97 meters in the javelin final at the Paris Olympics 2024.
In his initial attempt, Nadeem struggled to make an impact, but he made a remarkable comeback with a throw of 92.97 meters on his second attempt, setting a new Olympic record. This impressive performance surpassed Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, who had the longest throw of 90.57 meters during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Nadeem shared that he received offers from countries including the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and others. However, he turned down all these opportunities, emphasizing his commitment to representing Pakistan.
“I have been offered to represent countries like the UAE, UK, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, but I declined. My heart belongs to Pakistan, and I want to play for my country, regardless of the outcome,” the star athlete stated.
Nadeem also mentioned that he is currently a brand ambassador in Uzbekistan, but he refused their offer to compete under their flag.
Coming from a family facing financial challenges, Arshad’s childhood was far from the glamorous world of sports. His father, a construction laborer, worked tirelessly to support the family, while young Arshad showed an early passion for sports, particularly cricket. However, fate had different plans for him.
It was during his formative years that Arshad Nadeem’s talent for javelin throwing was recognized by his coach, Rasheed Ahmad Saqi. Despite limited resources and inadequate training facilities, Arshad remained determined. He embraced the hardships and transformed them into stepping stones toward his ultimate goal.
His journey to the global stage was filled with setbacks and disappointments, including injuries, financial struggles, and a lack of proper infrastructure. Yet, Arshad’s resilience ultimately prevailed as he made history by winning a gold medal for Pakistan at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024.
