ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: While Arshad Nadeem’s record-breaking javelin throw in Paris on Thursday night was a historic feat, he managed another accomplishment the next day — uniting the government and opposition in the National Assembly.
In a rare show of unity on Friday, the two sides came together to pass a resolution, tabled by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, paying rich tribute to the athlete.
“This House felicitates the son of the soil, Arshad Nadeem, for hoisting Pakistan’s flag in Paris Olympics 2024 and securing a gold medal for the nation after four decades,” the resolution stated.
“The house recommends the government for the highest civil award for Arshad Nadeem and [to] provide maximum facilities to youth of the country in the field of sports.”
NA adopts unanimous resolution to laud athlete; Punjab, Sindh govts announce Rs150m cash reward
Before the resolution was passed, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appreciated Arshad and said that his gold medal in the Olympics was “something very special for Pakistan”.
He censured sports federations and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and blamed them for the decline of sports for decades.
The minister said people associated with the POA and sports federations never leave their position and indulge in politics.
Apparently, the defence minister was talking about retired Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan, who resigned as the POA head last December, a few months before completing his fourth term.
Earlier, Mr Asif said that due to politics in federations like football and hockey, these sports are on the decline.
In his address, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also congratulated the Olympian.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari called for a consensus in the House to support the youth who are “capable of achieving such accolades”.
“It is unfortunate that neither the federal government nor the provincial government provided the necessary support [to athletes],” he added.
Rs150m prize money
As the nation rejoices, the Punjab and Sindh governments have announced rewards in excess of Rs150 million for the 27-year-old athlete.
Hailing him as the “hero who won the hearts of millions of Pakistanis”, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a reward of Rs100 million.
She also announced the construction of a sports city in his hometown of Mian Channu in his name.
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan also announced a cash reward of Rs2m.
He said Mr Nadeem was a role model for the country’s budding athletes and expressed hope that the Olympian would achieve many similar feats for the country in the future.
Meanwhile, PTV also quoted Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab as saying that “the Sindh government has announced Rs50m for the national hero”.
“A sports academy named after Arshad Nadeem would be established in Karachi,” Mr Wahab was quoted as vowing.
Separately, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori announced Rs1m for the athlete.
Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2024
