Will Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic Win change Pakistan’s Sports Priorities?

Arshad Nadeem emerged as Pakistan’s latest national hero after his performance at the 2024 Olympics.

He smashed the Olympic record with his 92.97m throw, winning the gold medal, Pakistan’s first in 40 years.

When Nadeem returned to Lahore airport on August 10, 2024, he was met by thousands chanting his name and waving the national flag.

Residents welcomed Nadeem by throwing rose petals at his home village near Mian Channu.

Because of his Olympic success, he received £680,000 in prize money from the government as well as a car.

Nadeem was also honoured at an official reception with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In Pakistan, cricket dominates but Arshad Nadeem’s success has sparked unprecedented interest in javelin throwing and track and field sports.

On social media, there are videos of children imitating Nadeem’s winning javelin throw with homemade spears.

Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani says this shows how Nadeem’s victory has captivated a nation.

He said: “People are showing interest in javelin and other track and field sports.

“They are following the records, reading about the games, and it’s encouraging to see that people are paying attention to sports other than cricket.”

But while Nadeem’s Olympic gold medal could lead to increased attention on other sports, it may not be long before the country reverts their interest back to cricket.

Lakhani added: “We are a one-sport nation with cricket getting all our attention.

“And with cricket matches starting, it’s likely that we’ll shift our focus back to cricket and move on from Nadeem’s victory.

“It’s our collective responsibility to remember what Nadeem achieved, the significance of his victory, and to keep promoting interest in other sports.”

Pakistan’s Early Sporting Success

After gaining independence in 1947, Pakistan initially thrived in various sports, with particular success in its national sport, field hockey.

The hockey team secured its first Olympic medal – a silver – at the 1956 Games.

Four years later, Pakistan’s hockey team won its first gold medal.

That same year, Pakistan celebrated its first individual Olympic medal (bronze), earned by wrestler Muhammed Bashir.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Pakistan also produced some of its finest sprinters.

Abdul Khaliq, known as the “Flying Bird of Asia”, was given this title by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, after winning the first of his two gold medals at the 1954 Manila Asian Games.

Despite these early successes in hockey and squash, the performance of Pakistani athletes in other sports began to decline.

Political instability in the late 1950s, followed by the wars with India in 1965 and 1971, and prolonged periods of military rule, led to reduced funding and the erosion of grassroots scouting programmes.

This decline was reflected in their sports achievements.

For instance, the hockey team, which won three Olympic gold medals, most recently in 1984 in Los Angeles, has failed to qualify for the last three Olympic Games.

Similarly, squash was also once dominated by Pakistan.

Between 1951 and 1997, Pakistani players reached 41 out of 47 British Open finals, winning 30 of them.

However, the country has not produced a British Open champion or world champion since 1997.

Arshad Nadeem – An Outlier?

Arshad Nadeem’s rise through the ranks was driven by his talent and the support of a private sponsor.

His journey began when he was first discovered by his mentor and coach Rasheed Ahmed Saqi.

However, Nadeem is an exception in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, public and media attention is overwhelmingly focused on cricket, which is governed by the well-funded Pakistan Cricket Board.

Other sports and their governing bodies have been plagued by issues such as political appointments, embezzlement, internal conflicts, and inadequate funding.

Historically, athletes have depended on public and private organisations, like banks, to establish sports departments that could provide them with income and career opportunities.

However, due to Pakistan’s recent economic downturn, many of these departments have been shut down.

As a result, athletes frequently struggle with a lack of funding or support, making it difficult for them to travel and compete in international tournaments.

UK-based sports consultant Mohammed Shahnawaz believes Nadeem’s triumph should prompt state authorities to reflect on how to better support promising athletes.

He said: “We need a clear vision from the state. Our sports policy is convoluted and outdated.

“Our sports policies and infrastructure are still stuck in the 1960s while the world has moved on to the 21st century.”

Athlete Investment

Squash player Noorena Shams aims to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the sport will make its debut.

She says Arshad Nadeem’s success highlights the potential of individual talent despite limited state support.

Shams said: “This win has raised awareness among the public, sponsors and athletes about the importance of sports.

“Imagine what Arshad could achieve if he had world-class support.”

“More importantly, with the right system in place, how many more Arshads could emerge with the necessary support?”

Faizan Lakhani cited Yasir Sultan, a Pakistani javelin thrower who won bronze at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships.

He said: “He was promised 5 million rupees [$18,000] in prize money by the government after winning the medal, but he has yet to receive it.

“The government must be constantly reminded to fulfil its commitments.

“They also need to understand that creating elite athletes requires investment.”

Looking to the future, Shahnawaz says Pakistan must prioritise sports where it has the potential to excel.

He explained: “We have a lot of talent in shooting and weightlifting, where athletes have shown they can perform well.

“It’s up to the government to figure out how to use Arshad’s success to inspire the next generation.

“There needs to be a career pathway, identifying players from a young age and providing sports scholarships where possible.

“That way, we can ensure sustainable development of our athletes.”

But despite Arshad Nadeem’s victory, a positive outcome for sports does not seem hopeful.

Shahnawaz added: “I am not too sure if we could really materialise something from this win.

“We have had [the same] people running our various sports bodies for 10 to 15 years. [The] same faces repeatedly take charge, and [the] cycle of disappointment continues.

“Most of the officials don’t have [the] vision to expand their sports or generate revenue or create something new to progress.

“They are merely happy with the way things are.”