Arshad Nadeem has been the recipient of numerous cash awards and valuable gifts in recognition of his historic gold medal win in the men's javelin throw at the recently-concluded Paris Olympics. Arshad Nadeem's remarkable achievement of 92.97 metres, a new Olympic record, has brought immense pride to Pakistan. In a unique gesture, Nadeem's father-in-law Muhammad Nawaz gifted him with an unexpected gift, a buffalo.
Arshad Nadeem reacts to his father-in-law's ‘buffalo gift’
In a recent media interaction, Arshad Nadeem was asked about the unique gift he received from his father-in-law, to which he said:
“She (his wife) told me, I said buffalo? He should have given me 5-6 acres of land but buffalo is also fine. By God’s grace he is so rich and he gave a buffalo.”
Nawaz explained the cultural significance of gifting a buffalo in their village. He emphasised to local media that such a gift is considered a symbol of wealth and respect within their community.
“Nadeem also takes great pride in his roots and despite the success, his home still remains his village and he still lives with his parents and brothers,” said Nawaz.
Nadeem's family background
Muhammad Nawaz, Arshad Nadeem's father-in-law, shared insights into his family background. He revealed that he has four sons and three daughters, with Ayesha being the youngest and Nadeem's wife. Hailing from the rural region of Khanewal in Punjab, Nadeem faced financial constraints in pursuing his athletic career. His early years were marked by limited resources for training and international competitions, with fellow villagers and relatives contributing to his endeavors. Nawaz recalled Nadeem's humble beginnings, describing him as a young man with limited means but an unwavering determination to excel in sports. Despite the challenges, Nadeem dedicated himself to training in the open fields of his village.
“When we decided to marry our daughter to Nadeem six years back, at that time he used to do small jobs and run errands but was extremely passionate about his sport and constantly practised throwing the javelin at home and in the fields,” said Nawaz.
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Muhammad Nawaz expressed immense pride and happiness in Arshad Nadeem's achievements. He highlighted the javelin thrower's respectful demeanor towards everyone, emphasizing Nadeem's humble nature despite becoming Pakistan's first individual Olympic gold medalist.
“Whenever he comes to our house he never complains about anything and eats whatever is there at our home,” he said.
In recognition of his historic Olympic gold medal, the Pakistani government bestowed upon Arshad Nadeem the prestigious Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the country's second-highest civilian award.
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