Emotional family reunion, cheerful welcome by fans mark Arshad Nadeem's return

Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's first individual Olympic gold medallist, receives passionate welcome from fans and emotional reunion with family.

Passionate celebrations by fans and an emotional reunion with his family marked the return of Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, after his flight touched base here on Sunday (August 11, 2024) accompanied by water cannon salute.

It was a welcome befitting a national hero as thousands of fans cheered and jostled to get a glimpse of Nadeem, who won the javelin throw gold after finding a distance of 92.97m at the Paris Games.

Also read | Arshad Nadeem: A tale of quiet resolve behind monster 90m throws

Upon his arrival, Nadeem embraced his mother, father and elder brother as they garlanded him during an emotional reunion inside the state lounge at the Allama Iqbal international airport.

Later, he also met his other family members and some villagers, who travelled all the way from his home town of Mian Channu in the rural Khanewal area of Punjab Province.

Once Nadeem and his family reached the exit gate of the terminal people, who were carrying placards and posters, rushed to garland him and tried to hoist him on their shoulders.

The rush, in fact, forced the security officials to take him back to the state lounge.