LAHORE: Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem got a major boost as he prepares for the Paris Olympics this year.
The Pakistani star has confirmed that he now has six advanced carbon-fibre javelins which will aid his preparation for the elusive event.
“Thank you all for your cooperation because the new javelin will be very beneficial to me. If I work hard, I will undoubtedly win an Olympic gold medal,” Nadeem said.
It is to be noted that Nadeem has returned home after five weeks of training in South Africa and is now fine tuning his preparations at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore with his new javelin.
“I’m very thankful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistan Sports Board, Punjab Sports and the Athletics Federation for cooperating with me. Additionally, the Athletics Federation has helped me and set up a camp where my coach Salman Butt is putting in a lot of effort,” Nadeem said.
The silver medalist of World Athletics further added that the training in South Africa was also greatly beneficial for him.
Continuing, Nadeem said that it was cold in South Africa but in Lahore he had to train in scorching heat. However, he believes that for an athlete should also be prepared and cold and hot weather do not matter.
Meanwhile, Salman Iqbal Butt, Nadeem’s coach, said that he has received the South African coach’s report. The javelin thrower’s output is currently 65%, but he is working on 35% of it, and he will throw 100% by mid-June.
Nadeem will also participate in a javelin event in Finland along some top throwers, for which the training plan is proceeding according to plan.
Nadeem’s potential and experience will work to his advantage and help him win the Olympic medal, Butt added.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.