Nadeem’s Olympic gold: A milestone, not the ultimate goal | Sports

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The summer of 2024 brought glory to Pakistan when national hero Arshad Nadeem won the Olympic gold medal in javelin throw at the Paris Games. This monumental achievement is a historic milestone for Pakistan and has received widespread acclaim both nationally and internationally.

From the president and prime minister of Pakistan to provincial chief ministers, Nadeem was felicitated and awarded for his extraordinary achievements. His victory sparked nationwide celebrations, with congratulatory messages pouring in months after his victory.

In a recent development, the President of Asian Athletics and member of Qatar’s Shura Council, General Dahlan Bin Juman Al Hammad, the Athletics Federation of Pakistan. (AFP) congratulated former president Major General (retd) Muhammad Akram Sahi. Current Chairman of the South Asian Athletics Federation. General Dahlan praised Sahi’s vision and efforts in nurturing Nadeem’s talent, transforming him into a world-class athlete. And pledged his support for the further development of athletics in Pakistan.

While Nadeem’s win is a moment of great pride, it also serves as a motivation for Pakistan’s athletic leadership to achieve this feat. Continued efforts are needed to ensure that the momentum generated by Nadeem’s victory translates into a strong pipeline of future champions.

Development at the bottom level:

Grassroots development is essential to elevate Pakistan’s athletics to international and global standards. Schools, colleges and provincial sports institutes should play an important role in nurturing talent.

Historically, the 1950s and 1960s are considered the golden era of Pakistan athletics, where legends like Abdul Khaliq and Ghulam Raziq set Asian records and gained international acclaim. However, the absence of a systematic development program has hindered progress in recent decades.

Athletics Culture:

Rebuilding a strong athletics culture requires collaboration. Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) under the leadership of President Brigadier (Rtd) Wajahat Hussain and Secretary General Lt Col (Rtd) Shahjahan Mir strives to promote the sport through district, provincial and national championships.

As athletics in Pakistan is governed by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), it organizes athletic tournaments in Pakistan.

The National Athletics Championships have become a regular annual feature of the AFP calendar.

Moreover, Pakistani female athletes have also represented Pakistan internationally, such as Shabana Akhtar, who was the first Pakistani female athlete to participate in the Olympics.

However, the Federation alone cannot shoulder all the responsibilities. Departments, educational institutions and the private sector should step up to support sports by creating employment opportunities, funding development programs and encouraging participation.

Enhancing infrastructure and opportunities:

A long-term solution lies in the development of modern sports infrastructure across the country. Government initiatives and private sector investment are essential to establish world-class facilities. These complexes serve as training centers for aspiring athletes, enabling them to compete at the global level. Additionally, recognizing and rewarding athletes’ achievements can boost their morale, motivating them to strive for greater success.

Pakistan’s dismal representation at the Paris Olympics – only seven athletes out of a population of over 240 million – highlights the urgent need for a coherent national strategy.

Encouragingly, the government’s recent announcement of the Prime Minister’s University Sports Olympiad, which also included athletics, is a step in the right direction. Such initiatives can help revive the declining sports culture in schools and colleges, which are excellent nurseries for future talent.

A call to action:

Pakistan’s athletics community must work collectively to revive the country’s sporting legacy. With the combined efforts of all stakeholders – federations, government bodies, educational institutions and the private sector, Pakistan can produce not only javelin throwers like Nadeem but also champions in various athletic disciplines.

By fostering a culture of sportsmanship and excellence, Pakistan will regain its position as a strong force in global athletics. Has the ability. This recovery requires a concerted effort, including strong support from both the government and the corporate sector. Such support could breathe new life into the declining state of athletics, providing job security and financial stability to national athletes. does what they need to support their families while representing the country on international platforms.

Ensuring these athletes have the resources to sustain themselves and improve their international rankings is crucial to success in prestigious events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Olympics and World Championships. A unified commitment to nurture talent, coupled with strategic investment, can pave the way for Pakistan’s resurgence in the world of athletics.

All should not be left to the athletics federation alone. It is also the responsibility of the entire nation to work towards the development of athletics culture so that like many small and developing nations/countries, Pakistani athletes can make their mark in international and global athletics events. Many small and developing countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda and Nigeria have a culture of athletics and despite facing economic problems, their athletes have won medals at the Olympics and regional competitions simply because Have done that they have game. / athletics culture and they start it from the ground up.

Pakistan also needs to promote the athletics culture in the country so that athletics flourishes and Pakistan produces top class athletes not only in javelin throw but also in other categories of athletics as it used to do in the past.

By embracing the athletics culture, every Pakistani can transcend gender and become an athlete.