Islamabad
\nHaving returned from the Paris Olympics with Pakistan\u2019s first gold medal in 40 years, javelin ace Arshad Nadeem on Monday expressed the hope for success at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as well.
\nArshad made history in Paris, not only winning Pakistan\u2019s first Olympic gold in athletics but also setting an Olympic record with a monstrous 92.97-metre throw.
\nThe 27-year-old athlete arrived to a hero\u2019s welcome at the Lahore airport late on Saturday night and then a similar but more emotional return to his hometown Mian Channu on Sunday.
\nTermed a national hero, Arshad is due to receive cash prizes worth Rs153 million and will also be conferred with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz award for his record-breaking performance.
\nSpeaking on the Geo News programme \u2018Geo Pakistan\u2019 today, Arshad said he would begin preparing for the LA Games soon.
\n\u201cI hope I remain fit and healthy enough to go and bring back medals not just in 2028 but also in 2032,\u201d he said.
\nReferring to his win, he quipped: \u201cWe\u2019ve been celebrating Independence Day early.\u201d
\n\u201cI was also national champion in 2015. I\u2019ve been struggling and working since then and I finally enjoyed the fruits of my labour on August 8,\u201d the gold medallist said as he recalled his career struggles.
\nHe added that he put a lot of effort into his performance at the Tokyo Games, adding that he will have to \u201cprepare fully\u201d for the 2028 Games in LA.
\nThe javelin champion then talked about undergoing surgery earlier this year and expressed gratitude to his coaches and doctors for their help while rehabilitating injuries. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to Dr Ali Sher Bajwa,\u201d Arshad said. \u201cI had a couple of injuries after my surgery and he took very good care of me.
\n\u201cMy coach Salman Butt kept my spirits up and motivated me to bring home a medal. After the surgery, I put a lot of effort in and did not lose hope,\u201d Arshad added.
\nHe added that after undergoing surgery, he tried not to over-exert himself to prevent injury before making it to Paris.
\nAsked about what his mindset was during the men\u2019s javelin event, Arshad said that he \u201calways tries to do his best\u201d, with Paris being no exception.
\n\u201cWhen I started my run-up I was feeling good,\u201d he said, adding that he was trying to qualify on the first throw. \u201cI had to be careful not to injure myself,\u201d he emphasised.
\n\u201cIn the finals, I tried to do the same thing but my run-up went wrong and I got a foul throw,\u201d he recalled. \u201cOn my second throw, I had to focus and hit the mark [as] I would\u2019ve come under pressure if I got another foul.
\n\u201cI focused, I put my faith in God. [\u2026] Whoever puts effort into what they\u2019re doing has God on their side,\u201d Arshad said.
\n\u201cWhen my second throw hit 92.97m, I was 80-90 per cent sure I had gold. But there were Olympic and world champions competing alongside me so the competition was tough,\u201d he acknowledged.
\nSpeaking about his rivalry with India\u2019s Neeraj Chopra \u2014 who clinched silver in Paris \u2014 Arshad said they both are \u201cgood friends\u201d.
\n\u201cWhen we\u2019re competing, we have to put effort in for our countries,\u201d he said, expressing hope that their friendship would be a long-lasting one.
\nAsked about the extent of support he received from the government, Arshad said he was \u201cgrateful to the government and the Pakistan Sports Board\u201d.
\n\u201cMy journey started in 2012 and I participated in events within Punjab. I was initially a cricketer, but Rashid Ahmed Sakhi introduced me to the javelin.\u201d
\nResponding to a query about reports of the government not arranging a new javelin for him, Arshad said, \u201cSome things are true and others aren\u2019t. I\u2019m just grateful for the win.\u201d
\n\u201cAs soon as I arrived in Lahore, everyone welcomed me. I was so happy with our victory and I\u2019m so grateful for how I was received,\u201d the javelin star said while recalling his welcome back home.
\n\u201cThere was a massive crowd in Mian Channu: when I reached my village in [Chak] 115, people from nearby villages were also there. I\u2019m just grateful.\u201d
\n\u201cI haven\u2019t slept because so many people are coming to visit. People are still meeting me and taking pictures and selfies, I have to give them my time.\u201d
\nResponding to a question, Arshad said his mother was the first person he called to inform of the Olympic success.<\/p>\n
Sindh minister announces cash award of Rs3.5m
\nMeanwhile, Sindh Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar announced a cash award of Rs3.5 million for Nadeem.
\nIn a video statement, Minister Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar revealed that the Sports and Youth Department of the Sindh government would be awarding Nadeem Rs2.5m.
\nIn addition to this, the minister personally pledged an additional Rs1m.
\n\u201cArshad Nadeem has made the entire nation proud with his outstanding performance and dedication. We are honoured to celebrate his success,\u201d Mahar said.
\nThe minister also expressed his intention to meet Nadeem soon to personally congratulate him on his historic achievement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Having returned from the Paris Olympics with Pakistan\u2019s first gold medal in 40 years, javelin ace Arshad Nadeem on Monday expressed the hope for success at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as well. Arshad made history in Paris, not only winning Pakistan\u2019s first Olympic gold in athletics but also setting an Olympic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":424550,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-424536","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n