Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, received a hero’s welcome on arrival in Pakistan on Wednesday night. His plane landed at 1.30 am and was welcomed by a large number of visitors and fans at the airport.
Fans raised loud cheers and slogans upon his arrival. Punjab Minister for Sports, Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti received him at the airport. President of the Athletics Federation Pakistan, coaches were also present to welcome him.
Nadeem expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan for showering him with love and praise. While talking to media at the airport he said “I got fame in the world owing to people’s prayers,” he said. “I will overcome my shortcomings and play the best game in the future.”
He added that he worked hard and came fifth in the competition. He vowed he would not disappoint the citizens in the future.
Read more: Arshad Nadeem invited at Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo
He also thanked the Pakistan Sports Board and Punjab Board. Punjab Sports minister said that “He has made us proud.”
Earlier, Ambassador Imtiaz Ahmad hosted Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and representatives of the Pakistan Olympics Association at the Embassy of Pakistan, Tokyo.
The Ambassador commended Arshad for igniting the passion for Javelin Throw in Pakistan. He hoped that Arshad would surely bring a gold medal for Pakistan soon.
ارشد ندیم وطن واپس پہنچ چکے ہیں۔ ہمیں تمام قومی ہیروز کی بھرپور پزیرائی کرنی ہوگی۔آئیے مل کر پاکستان میں کھیلوں کے لئے ایک نئے سفر کا آغاز کریں۔ کھلاڑیوں کے لئے ایک ایسا ماحول فراہم کریں جس سے وہ عالمی سطح پر ملک و قوم کا نام روشن کریں۔حکومت اس حوالے سے تمام ممکن اقدامات کرے گی۔ pic.twitter.com/4aHPak99Pn
— Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti (@RaiTaimoorB) August 11, 2021
Arshad Nadeem thanked the Pakistan Embassy for their cooperation during the Tokyo Olympics, a press release issued by the Embassy in Tokyo on Monday said.
He thanked the entire nation for their prayers and said that he is determined to fight for the top spot.
Ambassador Imtiaz Ahmad presented Arshad Nadeem with a certificate of appreciation and gift from the Embassy.
Arshad Nadeem ends his Tokyo Olympics journey at 5th position in the Men’s Javelin Throw Final.
Read more: Arshad Nadeem wins hearts at the Tokyo Olympics final
In his final attempt, the 23-year-old overstepped the line that immediately raised the red flag signaling the attempt as a foul. In the javelin, if the athlete touches the lines marking the runway during their throw, it is considered a foul. Arshad’s Javelin had traveled a distance of 84.63m that placed him at the fifth position.