‘Say His Name’: Commonwealth Games fans react to commentary after Arshad Nadeem’s 90.18m victory

A video from the 2022 Commonwealth Games has gone viral on social media, with fans calling for greater recognition of Pakistan’s javelin star Arshad Nadeem following his historic victory.

During the men’s javelin final in Birmingham, Nadeem delivered a stunning throw of 90.18 metres, setting a new Commonwealth Games record and securing the gold medal for Pakistan. The throw surpassed the previous record of 88.75 metres, which had stood since 1998, and made Nadeem the first South Asian athlete to cross the 90-metre mark in the event.

However, the moment sparked debate online after viewers noticed that the commentator did not immediately mention Nadeem by name during the broadcast. Instead, he was repeatedly referred to as “the athlete from Pakistan,” prompting criticism from fans who believed the historic achievement deserved direct recognition.

In the comment section of the video, many viewers expressed their frustration. One comment read, “Say his name, the athlete from Pakistan is Arshad Nadeem.” Another user wrote, “You are stealing from his moment by talking about someone else.” A third added, “Say his name! The one and only, Arshad Nadeem,” while others responded with messages such as “Arshad Nadeem Zindabad.”

Some fans also questioned the continued focus on Anderson Peters of Grenada, the reigning world champion and one of the pre-event favourites. They argued that the discussion around Peters continued even after Nadeem had produced the record-breaking throw that secured the gold medal.

The reactions quickly turned the clip into a wider conversation about recognition in sports broadcasting, with many fans saying that historic performances should be acknowledged clearly and immediately.

Despite the debate surrounding the commentary, Nadeem’s performance remains one of the most significant moments in Pakistan’s athletics history. His record-breaking throw not only secured the gold medal but also ended Pakistan’s 56-year medal drought in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, cementing his place among the country’s greatest sporting figures.