DUBAI: Pakistan’s Olympic javelin star, Arshad Nadeem, has been honored with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award in the prestigious Breakthrough Athlete category at the World Sports Summit held in Dubai.
The accolade was in recognition of Nadeem’s extraordinary performance at the Paris Olympics, where he achieved a historic throw of 92.97 meters to secure gold. This remarkable feat not only earned him an Olympic and world record but also broke a 16-year-old record previously held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen. His victory marked Pakistan’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in javelin throw.
Expressing his gratitude after receiving the award, Nadeem described it as a moment of immense pride for himself and for Pakistan. He emphasized that international recognition would inspire young athletes across the country and shine a spotlight on javelin throwing as a competitive sport.
Looking ahead, Nadeem shared his ambitions to bring home gold medals from the 2026 Commonwealth and Asian Games. He credited the Dubai government’s recognition with boosting his confidence and motivation to pursue higher goals.
In an interview with Geo News during the summit, Arshad Nadeem thanked Dubai’s leadership for honoring him with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award, stating that sharing the stage with global sports icons was a source of national pride for Pakistan.“The support I’ve received here fuels an athlete’s belief in himself. Confidence and motivation are essential for success,” Nadeem remarked. He also revealed that he would begin intensive training from January, aiming not just to participate but to clinch gold at upcoming multi-sport events.
Since its inception in 2008, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award has celebrated exceptional sporting achievements and contributions worldwide. Nadeem was the sole Pakistani athlete among the distinguished participants at this year’s summit, which brought together influential figures from the global sports industry.
