President Asif Ali Zardari honored Olympian Arshad Nadeem with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, during a ceremony in Islamabad on Thursday.
Nadeem received the award in recognition of his historic achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he secured Pakistan’s first gold medal in 40 years by setting an Olympic record in the men’s javelin throw.
The ceremony took place at the President House, where President Zardari also announced a personal reward of Rs100 million for the athlete. Nadeem’s impressive javelin throw of 92.97 meters not only brought pride to the nation but also set a new Olympic record.
Following the award ceremony, Nadeem met with President Zardari, joined by his coach Salman Iqbal Butt and senior government officials. President Zardari commended Nadeem for his dedication and hard work, which have made him a source of inspiration for young athletes across Pakistan.
This gold medal marks the end of a 40-year Olympic gold drought for Pakistan. Despite challenges such as limited facilities, equipment, and training, Nadeem’s perseverance led to his record-breaking achievement.
In recognition of his success, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier announced the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for Nadeem on August 13. The Prime Minister also hosted a celebratory dinner and announced a prize of Rs150 million. Additionally, plans were revealed to establish the “Arshad Nadeem High Performance Academy” at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, in preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
Other rewards have poured in from various quarters, including a Rs100 million cheque and a car with the number plate “PAK 92.97” from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and a Rs50 million prize from the Sindh government. Both private and government entities have also recognized Nadeem’s achievement with additional cash prizes and rewards.