Pakistan’s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem has been honoured with the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award in the Global Breakthrough Athlete category at the World Sports Summit in Dubai.
The award recognises Nadeem’s historic performance at the Paris Olympics, where he delivered a monumental 92.97-metre throw to clinch the gold medal. The achievement not only set a new Olympic and world record but also ended a 16-year reign of the previous record held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen.
This landmark victory marked Pakistan’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the javelin throw, placing the country firmly on the global athletics map and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Speaking after receiving the award, Nadeem described the moment as a source of immense pride for himself and the nation. He noted that international recognition plays a vital role in motivating young athletes and bringing greater attention to the sport of javelin in Pakistan.
Looking ahead, Nadeem confirmed that his next major targets include winning gold medals for Pakistan at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. He added that the honour from the Dubai government has renewed his confidence and strengthened his determination.
Nadeem also revealed that he will begin formal training from January, with a clear focus on excellence. He emphasised that his approach to future competitions will be centred on winning gold medals rather than merely participating.
Established in 2008, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award celebrates exceptional sporting achievements and contributions worldwide. Notably, Arshad Nadeem was the only Pakistani athlete represented at this year’s summit, which brought together leading figures from the global sports industry.
