The disappointment over Arshad Nadeem’s performance at the Commonwealth Games is understandable. Ever since his remarkable triumph at the Paris Olympics, expectations have been immense. When an athlete reaches the pinnacle of his sport, every subsequent performance is measured against that extraordinary standard.
Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic gold medal was not simply another sporting success. It was one of the greatest accomplishments ever achieved by a Pakistani athlete. By winning the men’s javelin title, he became Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medallist in athletics and did so by breaking an Olympic record that had stood since the Beijing Games in 2008.
His achievement deserves to be viewed in its proper context. For decades, Pakistan’s Olympic success was limited to hockey, with three gold medals won in an earlier era. No Pakistani athlete had ever stood atop the Olympic podium in an athletics event. Arshad changed that forever, proving that Pakistani athletes can compete with – and defeat – the very best in the world. His feat is even more remarkable when viewed alongside India. Despite having a population nearly seven times larger than Pakistan’s and investing significantly more in sporting infrastructure, India has also produced only one Olympic gold medallist in athletics. That comparison illustrates how exceptionally difficult such victories are.
This is why it would be unfair and shortsighted to judge Arshad on a single disappointing outing. Every elite athlete experiences periods when performances dip. Injuries, fatigue, changing form and the pressure that accompanies success are all part of high-level competition. The greatest champions in history have all suffered setbacks before returning to winning ways. Arshad also entered the Commonwealth Games while continuing his recovery from injury. Returning to peak performance is rarely immediate. Rehabilitation is not just about physical fitness; it involves rebuilding confidence, rhythm and competitive sharpness. Even world-class athletes need time before they are once again operating at their absolute best.
Rather than questioning Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan should instead ask a more important question: how did he become an Olympic champion despite the country’s sporting system rather than because of it? Elite athletes are rarely products of talent alone. Around the world, they are supported by modern facilities, experienced coaches, sports scientists, physiotherapists, nutritionists and regular exposure to high-level competition. These are no longer luxuries; they are the foundations of international sporting success.
Pakistan offers very little of that. Arshad’s rise has been driven primarily by his own determination, discipline and resilience. His story is inspiring because he overcame obstacles that athletes from many other countries never have to face. But it is also a reminder that countless talented young Pakistanis may never realise their potential because they lack the support needed to develop into world-class competitors. A nation cannot depend on exceptional individuals emerging once every generation. Sustainable sporting success comes from systems that consistently identify, nurture and develop talent.
Federal and provincial governments need to recognise that investment in sport is an investment in national development. Pakistan requires modern athletics centres, internationally compliant training facilities and properly maintained stadiums where athletes can prepare throughout the year instead of only before major competitions. Just as important is creating a structured domestic competition calendar. Athletes improve by competing regularly against the best available opposition. Without consistent national and regional competitions, it becomes difficult to maintain international standards or identify the next generation of talent.
Educational institutions must also reclaim their traditional role in Pakistani sport. Schools, colleges and universities once produced many of the country’s finest athletes. Reviving inter-school, collegiate and university competitions would expand the talent pool while encouraging greater participation in sport among young people. Coaching deserves equal attention. Pakistan should invest in internationally recognised coaching programmes and partnerships with countries that have established expertise in athletics. Outstanding athletes are often shaped by outstanding coaches.
Modern sport also depends heavily on sports science. Injury prevention, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychology and performance analytics have become integral to elite competition. Countries that consistently produce Olympic medallists understand that these disciplines often determine the difference between winning a medal and narrowly missing one.
Financial security is another essential ingredient. Too many Pakistani athletes continue to worry about making a living while trying to compete internationally. Scholarships, sponsorships and transparent performance-based funding would allow them to focus fully on training instead of financial uncertainty.
The private sector should also play a larger role. Corporate Pakistan has the resources to sponsor athletes, competitions and academies through long-term partnerships rather than one-time rewards after success has already been achieved. Finally, sports administration requires meaningful reform. Federations must become more professional, transparent and accountable. Merit should always determine selection, while funding should be linked to measurable performance and good governance rather than politics or personal influence.
Arshad Nadeem has already demonstrated what extraordinary talent and determination can achieve. His Olympic gold medal secured his place among Pakistan’s greatest sporting heroes. But his greatest contribution may ultimately be the opportunity he has created for Pakistan to rethink how it develops athletes.
If Pakistan truly wants more Olympic champions, it must build an ecosystem that allows talented athletes to flourish long before they reach the world stage. Arshad Nadeem has shown what is possible. The challenge now is to ensure that his success is remembered not as a once-in-a-generation miracle, but as the beginning of a stronger sporting culture capable of producing many more champions in the years ahead.
The writer is a journalist based in Karachi. He tweets/posts @omar_quraishi and can be reached at: [email protected]
