Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem’s coach, Salman Iqbal, has come out strongly in defence of his ward after the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) sought an explanation for the javelin star’s disappointing 10th-place finish at the World Championships in Tokyo.
PSB Seeks Clarification on Performance
The PSB had asked Iqbal to provide details about Nadeem’s performance, including his training schedule and the expenses incurred on his preparation. In a firm response, Iqbal reminded the Board that even the best athletes experience tough phases and that one off-performance should not overshadow Nadeem’s contributions to the country.
Coach Points to Federation Neglect
Iqbal further revealed that the Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation (PAAF) has been largely absent from Nadeem’s training and competition plans over the past year. He claimed that after Nadeem’s calf surgery, there was little institutional support provided to him for rehabilitation or training.
“Arshad’s performance was affected by his recovery phase after surgery. The track conditions in Tokyo were hard, and the weather was extremely humid, which impacted many athletes,” Iqbal wrote in his reply.
Financial Struggles After Injury
The coach disclosed that he had to rely on personal contacts to arrange a training and rehabilitation camp for Nadeem in South Africa. “A close friend helped financially because the Federation did not step forward,” he said, adding that despite these struggles, Nadeem has continued to bring pride to Pakistan.
Arshad’s Track Record
Since 2022, Arshad Nadeem has won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and silver at the 2022 World Championships. He also claimed the javelin gold at the Asian Athletics Championships earlier this year.
Rivalry With Neeraj Chopra
Nadeem’s healthy rivalry with India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has greatly boosted interest in athletics across South Asia. Interestingly, Chopra too had a below-par campaign in Tokyo, highlighting how challenging conditions affected even the world’s best.
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