Arshad Nadeem Receives Hero’s Welcome Upon Triumphant Return

News Desk

Lahore: Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who made history at the Paris Olympics 2024 with a record-breaking 92.97-meter throw and clinched the gold medal in the Men’s category, was celebrated with a hero’s welcome upon his return to Pakistan.

A massive crowd of euphoric fans gathered at Allama Iqbal International Airport in the early hours of Sunday to greet him.

The flight carrying Arshad Nadeem, who shattered a 118-year-old Olympic record, was greeted with a water cannon salute upon landing at Lahore airport.

Nadeem was then escorted to the State Lounge, where he was warmly received by federal and provincial ministers, as well as other government officials. His family was also present at the lounge, where he shared an emotional embrace with his father.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal; Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan; State Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Sheza Fatima; PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique; Provincial Information Minister, Azma Bokhari; and Sports Minister Punjab, Faisal Ayub Khokhar, all garlanded the Olympian upon his arrival. A delegation from the PPP, led by MPA Syed Hasan Murtaza, was also present to welcome him.

The Director General of the Punjab Sports Board, representatives from the Pakistan Athletic Federation, other provincial sports bodies, and sports enthusiasts were on hand to celebrate the national hero who had brought pride to the country.

The airport was festooned with festive decorations, and thousands of excited youth, children, and elderly people gathered to honor the athlete who had hoisted the national flag at the Olympics after a 32-year hiatus. The air was filled with the chant of “Pakistan Zindabad” as people danced to the beat of drums and waved banners in celebration.

Arshad Nadeem is the first individual from Pakistan to win a gold medal in the field and track category at the Olympics. His achievement also marks the first gold medal in four decades for Pakistan, since the men’s field hockey team won gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

Special security measures were in place at the Lahore airport due to the large crowd. After some crowd control issues, security personnel successfully escorted Nadeem to a double-decker bus for a city parade.

Despite the late hour, enthusiastic fans lined the roads to witness and celebrate Arshad Nadeem’s triumph. Accompanied by his family, coach Salman Butt, and PSB officials, Nadeem waved to the cheering crowds from the bus.

President Asif Ali Zardari has announced that Arshad Nadeem will be honored with the civil award “Hilal-e-Imtiaz.” Additionally, the government has issued a postage stamp titled “Azm-e-Istehkam,” featuring images of Minar-e-Pakistan and Arshad Nadeem, to commemorate the 77th Independence Day and his Olympic success.

In a statement to Pakistan Television (PTV) at the Lahore Airport, Arshad Nadeem expressed his gratitude to his coaches, Salman Butt and Dr. Bajwa, the Pakistan Sports Board, and the Punjab Sports Board for their support.

He also thanked Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and other organizations for their recognition of his achievements.

Nadeem expressed his appreciation for his department, WAPDA, for providing employment that allowed him to pursue his passion for javelin throwing. Finally, he extended his thanks to the millions of Pakistanis who prayed for his success.