Arshad Nadeem: 2024 summer Olympics hero given grand welcome

LAHORE: Javelin throw Olympian, Arshad Nadeem, who recently won Pakistan’s first individual gold at 2024 summer Olympics in Paris, arrived at the Lahore airport on a Turkish airlines flight in early hours of Sunday (today).

According to Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) Muhammad Akram Sahi, Arshad Nadeem was expected to land post-midnight at Allama Iqbal International Airport, also known as Lahore airport.

The Olympian was given a hero’s welcome upon his arrival, including a guard of honour.

Read more: Olympian Arshad Nadeem to be awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz

The Olympian’s father arrived at the Lahore airport around 1 am to welcome his son back home. Meanwhile, the rest of his family anxiously awaited his arrival.

Several high profile government officials were present to welcome the national hero, who won Pakistan’s first gold medal in nearly four decades.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Uzma Bukhari, who is currently serving as Information Minister (Punjab), was at the airport to receive Arshad Nadeem. The provincial information minister stated that the javelin-thrower has made the entire nation proud.

Read more: Accolades, congratulations keep pouring in for Arshad Nadeem

Uzma Bukhari added that Arshad Nadeem was appointed to the Punjab Sports Board by the Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Saif before departing for the 2024 summer Olympics.

She also mentioned that Arshad Nadeem would be taken on a ride around Lahore on a double-decker bus for a chance to interact with fans anxiously awaiting for him outside the airport.

Similarly, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique reached the Lahore airport around midnight to welcome Arshaed Nadeem.

The PML-N leader said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet the gold medalist, stating that a national hero of this calibre deserved such respect.

Read more: Arshad Nadeem: Independence month gift – gold at Paris Olympics

The Chairman of Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad was also at the Lahore airport, awaiting the Olympian’s arrival. The chairman said that “today is a happy day” for entire the nation.

The chairman mentioned that the gold medalist will hold a press conference later.

Similarly, Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima among other officials were present at the airport to welcome Arshad Nadeem.