Olympian Arshad returns home to a hero’s welcome

Lahore

Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem has landed in Pakistan after putting up a tremendous performance at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Though the track and field athlete could not win a medal in the world’s biggest sports festival, he won the hearts of millions of Pakistanis with his indomitable will to put the country on the map with little resources at his disposal.

Arshad Nadeem’s plane landed at 1:30 am at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. A large number of sports enthusiasts had gathered at the airport to welcome Arshad before his arrival. Cheers and loud slogans filled the air as he arrived.

Punjab Minister for Youth and Sports Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, president of the Athletics Federation Pakistan, coaches and athletes received him at the airport.

Arshad Nadeem spoke to the media at the airport and thanked all the people who prayed for him.

“I got fame in the world owing to people’s prayers,” he said. “I will overcome my shortcomings and play the best game in the future.”

Arshad Nadeem also vowed that he would not disappoint his admirers with his performance in future. “I worked hard and came fifth,” he said.

The athlete also said he is grateful to the Pakistan Sports Board and Punjab board and expressed satisfaction with the bodies for patronising him.—AFP