Arshad Nadeem with Pakistan's Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif© Twitter
Arshad Nadeem is currently the most popular Pakistan sportsperson. His exploits at the Paris Olympics 2024 earned his country the first ever individual gold at the quadrennial extravaganza. He threw an Olympic record of 92.97m to end first ahead of India's Neeraj Chopra, who ended with silver with his season best throw of 89.45m. Hailing from the rural area of Khanewal in Punjab, Nadeem had very limited means to train and travel abroad for competitions, with fellow villagers and relatives donating money so that he could compete abroad in his early days.
But now, Nadeem has been showered with cash prizes. Pakistan's Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday visited Nadeem in Mian Channu and awarded him Pakistan Rupees 10 crore. He was also gifted a Honda Civic car with a special registration number PAK-92.97 (his Olympic mark), according to dawn.com.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 13, 2024
REMEMBER THE NUMBER 92.97🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/DOsIZCz8Zx
— PMLN (@pmln_org) August 13, 2024
Pakistan might be showering its Olympic gold medallist, Arshad Nadeem with cash awards and other valuable prizes but his father-in-law has decided to gift the burly javelin thrower a buffalo as it goes well with the rural upbringing and tradition.
Muhammad Nawaz told the local media in Nadeem's village on Sunday that gifting a buffalo is considered "very valuable" and "honourable" in their village.
Nadeem won the javelin throw event in Paris with an Olympic Games record of 92.97 metres, pushing India's Neeraj Chopra to second spot.
"Nadeem also takes great pride in his roots and despite the success, his home still remains his village and he still lives with his parents and brothers," said Nawaz.
The father-in-law added that he had four sons and three daughters, and his youngest daughter, Ayesha, was married to Nadeem.
Nawaz also disclosed that the couple has two sons and a daughter.
Nawaz also said that when he decided to marry his daughter to Nadeem, he was a man of limited means but had the hunger to do well in sports for which he used to train in village fields.
"When we decided to marry our daughter to Nadeem six years back, at that time he used to do small jobs and run errands but was extremely passionate about his sport and constantly practised throwing the javelin at home and in the fields," said Nawaz.
Nawaz added that he was very happy with Nadeem's success and fame, adding that the javelin thrower, who became the first individual medallist from the country, was very respectful towards everyone.
"Whenever he comes to our house he never complains about anything and eats whatever is there at our home," he said.
"Two of his children have started going to the local primary school in the village while one son is still very young."