Arshad can win medal in Paris: Sahi

LAHORE: Asian Athletics Association (AAA) vice-president and South Asian Athletics Association chairman Major General (retd) Akram Sahi has said that Arshad Nadeem is a “fearless” athlete and there is a strong chance of his winning a medal in Paris Olympics.

“It’s a big thing about Arshad that he is a fearless athlete. I hope he will win a medal in Olympics,” Sahi told The News in an interview. Sahi resigned recently as chairman of Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) but is still looking after its vital matters, especially related to Arshad Nadeem who he says is a blessing of God for the nation.

“We are thankful to God for blessing us with such an athlete. It is because of the persistent efforts of the AFP and Arshad himself that the nation is now hoping for a medal in Olympics,” said Sahi, also a former international athlete.

“I invited both Arshad and his coach Salman Butt the other day and we discussed the recently held Diamond League in Paris. Arshad’s morale is high. I encouraged him and told him that I am satisfied with his performance. He handled Diamond League very carefully keeping in view the approaching Paris Olympics,” Sahi revealed.

“He did not go all out to avoid any injury before the Olympics,” he said. Arshad on July 7 competed in Diamond League in Paris for the first time in his career and finished fourth with a throw of 84.21 metre which experts say is a good effort before the Olympics.

It was after one year that Arshad was showcasing his skills in any competitive event. About his fitness Sahi said that he is excellent. “He is hundred percent fit and in high spirit,” he said. “He told me that he is focusing on his job and does not bother about what is going around,” Sahi was quick to add.

Asked why AFP did not hold a camp for him in Europe which could have benefited him in the Olympics, he said that they have planned things as per their own environment. “We have our own environment and we have to see Arshad and we are to listen to his coach and doctor,” Sahi said. “His recovery was very important and therefore it was not suitable to send him to Europe ahead of the Olympics. And Arshad himself has no complaints and is happy with this arrangement,” he said.

Arshad is one of the hot favourites for podium finish at the Paris Olympics. Dogged by elbow initially and then both knees injuries the world silver medallist is a real threat for the world’s top throwers such as Neeraj Chopra and Anderson Peters.

Arshad’s personal best is 90.18 metre which he managed at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games which is also the Games record. Arshad is undergoing training here at the Punjab Stadium and will leave for Paris on July 24 to feature in the Olympics. His meet’s preliminaries will be conducted on August 6 while finals will be held on August 8.