KARACHI: Olympian javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem secured the gold medal in the men’s javelin event at the 35th National Games in Karachi. Representing WAPDA, he recorded a best throw of 81.81 metres to finish at the top of the leaderboard. His performance further strengthened his status as Pakistan’s leading javelin thrower.
WAPDA’s Yasir Sultan claimed the silver medal with a throw of 70.77 metres. Pakistan Army’s Abrar Ali won the bronze medal after posting a best effort of 67.68 metres. Athletes and officials praised the high standard of competition throughout the event.
Participation boosts morale in domestic athletics
Arshad, an Olympic gold medallist and national sports icon, has drawn major attention at the National Games. His participation has inspired young athletes and boosted enthusiasm for athletics. He said the event plays a crucial role in identifying emerging talent from across the country.
Two days earlier, Arshad expressed great confidence in the National Games as a platform for development. Speaking during the opening ceremony at the National Bank Stadium, he said the competition would help Pakistan discover promising athletes. He highlighted the value of providing young competitors with opportunities to perform on a national stage.
He said strong performers this year could eventually represent Pakistan internationally. He added that talent from various disciplines would benefit from this exposure. His remarks reinforced growing optimism about Pakistan’s athletic future.
National camp planned for top performers
Arshad said the top performers would be invited to a national training camp. He noted that Pakistan faces a busy international sports calendar next year. He said successful athletes from the Games may earn selection for major global events.
He recently defended his gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games. He said he remains focused on the Diamond League, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Despite injury concerns earlier this year, he said he now feels fully fit. He added that he will target a record throw if his fitness stays intact. He stressed that he aims to keep improving as he motivates the next generation of Pakistani athletes.
