Flying the flag for WAPDA, Olympic javelin ace Arshad Nadeem won the men’s javelin title at the 35th National Games at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, launching the spear 81.81 metres to take first place.
His teammate Yasir Sultan earned the silver medal with a best throw of 70.77m, while Pakistan Army’s Abrar Ali completed the top three, securing bronze with a 67.68m effort.
Arshad, recognised as Pakistan’s standout javelin thrower and an Olympic gold winner, has been a major attraction at the Games, with his participation and victory seen as a big lift for domestic athletics and an inspiration for local javelin throwers.
Only two days earlier, on Saturday, Arshad had pinned high hopes on the National Games as a platform to bring emerging talent into the limelight.
Speaking to the media during the star-studded opening ceremony at the National Bank Stadium, he said he was confident the event would help Pakistan unearth promising athletes across disciplines.
“National Games will bring out new talent for Pakistan,” Arshad said, expressing his belief that strong performers at this year’s edition could go on to represent the country internationally. “I am sure that good talent will emerge in every athletics event this time. Performers will emerge from here and will go on to make Pakistan’s name shine on the international stage.”
He added that the top performers at the Games would be invited to a national camp, with the possibility of earning selection for a busy international calendar next year.
“Top performers of the National Games will be invited to a camp. There are plenty of events next year, and they may as well represent Pakistan in them,” he noted.
The javelin thrower, who recently defended his gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, said his focus remained firmly on major international competitions, including the Diamond League, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Despite having battled injury issues earlier this year, he said he was now fully fit and aiming higher.
“I performed well despite the injury this year. I am completely fit now, and [if my fitness remains the same] I will target the record throw,” Arshad said, underlining his determination to keep improving as he inspires the next generation of Pakistani javelin throwers.
