Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz today paid a visit to Olympic javelin star Arshad Nadeem in his hometown of Mian Channu, where she awarded him a cheque worth Rs100 million in recognition of his historic gold medal win at the Paris Olympics.
Arshad Nadeem’s 92.97-meter throw not only secured Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in four decades but also set a new record at the Games, making him the first South Asian athlete to achieve a podium finish in track and field events. His extraordinary achievement has been a source of national pride, prompting widespread celebrations across the country.
During her visit, CM Maryam Nawaz met with Arshad and his family, offering her congratulations and presenting him with the cheque she had previously announced. In addition to the monetary award, Arshad was also gifted a Honda Civic with a custom registration number, PAK-92.97, commemorating his record-breaking throw.
The chief minister also recognised the contributions of Arshad’s coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, by awarding him a cheque of Rs5 million for his role in training the athlete.
“Arshad Nadeem has brought unprecedented joy to our nation,” said Maryam Nawaz during her visit, reflecting the sentiment echoed by millions of Pakistanis celebrating the athlete’s success.
The visit was attended by senior officials including Punjab’s senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, provincial sports minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, and other key government figures, who all expressed their admiration for Arshad’s achievements.
In addition to the government’s recognition, the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) announced that Arshad and his family would be provided with Umrah packages, allowing them to undertake the pilgrimage once the celebrations conclude.
