The night of August 07, 2024, marked a turning point in Pakistan’s sporting history. As the clock ticked towards 11:35 p.m., an entire nation held its breath. Cricket, the undisputed king of Pakistani sports, was momentarily dethroned as the focus shifted to a different arena: The Olympic stadium in Paris. The spotlight was on Arshad Nadeem the last glimmer of hope for a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.
In a country where cricket dominates the sporting industry and most of our TV screens, Arshad’s journey to becoming a national hero has been extraordinary. Against the odds, he has carved a niche for himself in track and field at the Paris Olympics 2024. The outpouring of love and support he received on the night of the Olympic men’s javelin final, yesterday, was a testament to the nation’s newfound appreciation for athletics.
Arshad’s Olympic record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters secured Pakistan’s first-ever track and field medal and its first Olympic medal in 32 years. When Arshad’s name was announced as the gold medalist, a wave of euphoria swept across Pakistan. Draped in emerald green, and white, the 27-year-old was an embodiment of raw emotion and after last night, he became a beacon of hope for millions of Pakistanis, showing the world that despite life’s challenges — beautifully captured in PTCL and Ufone’s Ae Jawan, Seena Taan campaign — we should never stop pursuing our goals.
In 2023, Arshad claimed silver behind Neeraj Chopra at the World Championships and marked a personal milestone in 2022, by surpassing the 90-meter barrier for the first time, securing gold at the Commonwealth Games. On Thursday, however, he engraved his name in history by becoming the first athlete to achieve two 90-meter throws.
His win has sparked a much-needed conversation about the importance of supporting athletes from all disciplines. While cricket continues to be a passion, it is also important to recognize and nurture talent in other sports. Brands like PTCL and Ufone have taken the first and we believe that more corporate entities should follow their example.
We along with millions across the nation eagerly await Arshad Nadeem’s return and we hope to accord him the recognition he deserves as a national hero.
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