Pakistan hero Nadeem arrives home to warm welcome
The Hindu
Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's ace javelin thrower, returned home to a warm welcome after winning silver at the World Athletics Championship. He was rewarded with a 5 million cash award and expressed his desire to win an Olympic medal in Paris next year. Nadeem believes with proper facilities and coaching he can win gold. He respects fellow javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and is proud to be the first Pakistani athlete to win a medal at the World Championships.
Pakistan's ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who claimed a silver in the World Athletics Championship, returned home on Tuesday to a warm welcome and expressed his desire to win an Olympic medal in Paris next year.
The star javelin thrower was welcomed at the Allama Iqbal International airport by officials of the Pakistan Athletics Federation and Pakistan Sports Board.
Nadeem then took hit the road for his home in Mian Channu in the Khanewal District of Pakistan's Punjab province where his family members, neighbours and others welcomed him by beating drums and singing patriotic songs.
He has been rewarded with a 5 million cash award announcement by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.
Nadeem who had also won gold medal at the Commonwealth Games last year in Birmingham, told the media that if given proper facilities like coaching, equipment by the authorities he can win the gold medal for Pakistan at next year's Olympics.
"We just need better facilities to train that is all. I have learnt from watching videos of other top javelin throwers, especially Neeraj Chopra. I have studied their technique, the way they are positioned at the time of release.
"But to keep on competing at the top level one needs specialised training," he said.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.