Arshad Nadeem, a javelin thrower from Pakistan, defied institutional shortcomings and administrative indifference to win a historic Olympic gold medal in Paris. While Nadeem’s struggles and sacrifices paved his way to success, officials back in Pakistan from the Pakistan Sports Board, Inter Provincial Coordination Ministry (sports), and the government are busy claiming credit for his achievement. Months before the Paris Olympics, Nadeem had to request a new javelin as his old one was worn out. Unlike other finalists in the javelin throw, including India’s Neeraj Chopra, Nadeem lacked access to top-tier coaching and consistent international competition due to inadequate funding. After undergoing knee surgery, he was forced to train in harsh conditions at the Punjab Sports Complex alongside amateur athletes. Despite these challenges, the government and associated bodies, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), are asserting their contributions to his victory. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the first to congratulate Nadeem, but Pakistanis were surprised by the claim that it was his vision that allowed Nadeem to be groomed for the ultimate medal. A video released immediately after the javelin throw finals by the PMO shows the premier jumping up and clapping after Nadeem’s success. The Punjab minister for sports tells him, “Sir yeh aap ka vision tha, aapne isko chance diya” (Sir this was your vision, you gave him a chance). The PSB followed suit, claiming comprehensive support for Nadeem, including a 10 million rupee expenditure on his surgery and cash awards. The board highlighted a 70 million rupees annual grant to the Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation as part of its efforts. “The PSB and the Pakistan Olympics Association really need to take a hard look at themselves for what they are really doing to support and encourage non-cricket athletes in the country instead of making big claims,” said a disgruntled member of the POA. Pakistan’s squash legend Jahangir Khan, drawing from his own experiences, said that as a sportsman he knows how much hard work, sacrifices, sweat, blood, and tears go into winning individual medals. “In individual sports you are fighting with yourself to gain success,” he said. “If our sports system was functioning properly we would be producing more world class athletes given the raw talent we have,” he noted. Despite bold claims, Pakistan’s sports apparatus remains without an effective government policy. Policy changes with each new sports minister have hampered long-term development. A multi-sports city project launched in 2009 in Narowal, initiated by former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal, still remains incomplete despite substantial government expenditure. Moreover, recent federal budgets have reduced the allocation for sports, dropping from 3.4 billion to 1.9 billion rupees annually. Existing sports complexes require significant maintenance and upgrades. The landscape is further complicated by political turmoil, leading to parallel national Olympic committees and federations for various sports. The situation has made it increasingly difficult for athletes to navigate and receive needed support. Essa Khan, a former football star, expressed skepticism regarding any potential positive change for non-cricketing athletes. “Look if Arshad’s olympic gold medal cannot turn things around for non-cricketing athletes in the country now, then nothing is going to change in Pakistan sports,” Essa said.
