Muhammad Akram Sahi, chairman of Athletics Federation of Pakistan, has turned down the claims regarding Pakistan javelin thrower and Olympics gold medalist Arshad Nadeem's struggle to get a proper javelin to practice with before the Paris Olympics 2024.
Pakistan's javelin thrower Nadeem, who recently etched history by earning the gold medal in javelin throw at Paris Olympics 2024, was reportedly struggling to get a new javelin to practice with before the marquee event.
In an interview with Samaa TV, Muhammad Akram Sahi denied the allegations and said, "It could be a conspiracy of India as both countries (India and Pakistan) are competitors of each other in javelin."
Sahi further claimed that Arshad Nadeem had enough javelins with him to practice with.
"Arshad had enough javelins to practice with. He was procured two javelins by the Army Chief of Pakistan after the Tokyo Olympics (2020). The Athletics Federation also gave javelins to Arshad", he continued, adding that the reports of Nadeem's struggle to get a proper javelin prior to the olympics are 'fake'.
Arshad Nadeem put a demise to the spell of 'no medal' for Pakistan since 1992 by winning a gold medal at Paris Olympics with an incredible throw of 92.97 meters in his second attempt. Neeraj Chopra, on the other hand, clinched a silver medal with a best throw of 89.45 meters at the Paris Olympics. His best throw came on his second attempt, but four consecutive fouls affected his chances of winning gold.
The two top athletes have always seemed to share a great camaraderie on and off the field.
Moreover, ahead of the Paris Olympics, Neeraj Chopra lauded Nadeem as he came to know about the purported struggle of the latter getting a proper javelin.
"It is hard to believe that he (Arshad Nadeem) is struggling to get a new javeline. He is a top javeline thrower. I hope that the javeline providers are more than happy to sponser him and procure him what he needs", Chopra had said.
Nadeem, one of the top athletes hailing from Mian Channu, Punjab (Pakistan), was born on January 2, 1997. From a young age, Nadeem exhibited a proclivity towards sports and participated in various disciplines such as cricket, badminton, football, and athletics.
Despite excelling in cricket at the district level, it was his inclination towards javelin throw that paved the way for his illustrious career. In 2015, Nadeem began competing in javelin throw events and quickly made a name for himself. His breakthrough came in February 2016 when he clinched a bronze medal at the South Asian Games in Guwahati, India.
Subsequesntly, he earned bronze at the 17th Asian Junior Athletics Championship in Ho Chi Minh and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku in May 2017.
Arshad Nadeem again achieved a significant milestone in his career when he achieved a new personal best of 80.45 meters during the qualification round at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
The athlete came to be recognised as the sole Pakistani athlete at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, achieving a personal best and national record of 81.52 meters.
