KPC to award life membership to Arshad Nadeem

KARACHI: The Karachi Press Club (KPC) has decided to bestow life membership upon Pakistan’s leading javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem in recognition of his historic achievement of clinching gold medal in the Olympics.

KPC Secretary Shoaib Ahmed said this in an announcement on Friday. He said Nadeem’s triumph was a watershed moment for the Pakistani sports.

"He has placed our nation on the global sporting map. The life membership is a small token of our appreciation for his immense contribution,” said Ahmed.

Nadeem landed the country's first gold medal since 1984 and the first of any colour since 1992, beating defending champion and Indian rival Neeraj Chopra into second in the javelin. The 27-year-old’s throw of 92.97m was also an Olympic record.

KPC President Saeed Sarbazi said the international athlete was a national hero whose extraordinary feat had inspired millions of Pakistanis.

"His victory is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our nation and its athletes. The KPC is proud to honour such a remarkable individual," he said.

The governing body of the KPC unanimously decided to confer the club's "highest honour" on Nadeem, who broke the Olympic record in men’s javelin to become the first Pakistani to win individual gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a press release said.

The life membership will be formally granted to Nadeem at a ceremony at the KPC soon, details of which will be announced later, the press release said.

Nadeem joins a distinguished list of sports icons, including cricketers Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, squash legend Jahangir Khan, and former Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who have been awarded the club’s life membership.

The KPC has also in the past bestowed life membership upon cricket legend Vivian Richard and Darren Sammy for playing a crucial role in reviving international cricket in Pakistan.