After achieving a mammoth throw of 92.97 metres, Arshad Nadeem secured Pakistan’s first ever individual gold medal at the Paris Olympics. This remarkable feat has made history for the country, leading the National Assembly of Pakistan to pass a unanimous resolution urging that the government award the second highest civilian honour Hilal-e Imtiaz to Arshad Nadeem.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistani President on Saturday, Asif Ali Zardari announced that Arshad would be awarded the civil award Hilal-e Imtiaz in a special ceremony in recognition of his outstanding services in the field of sports.
Pakistani media reports that the Pakistan Post Office will also release a special postal stamp on August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day, in tribute to Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem.
Stamp for Arshad
In addition, his efforts have earned him a combined cash prize of 1.51 crore Pakistani rupees from the governments of Punjab and Sindh. Pakistani singer and songwriter Ali Zafar has also announced a reward of one million rupees for Arshad Nadeem.
Historic achievement by Arshad
Arshad has become the first-ever athlete in Pakistan to win a gold medal in an individual sport. Previously, Pakistan had won three gold medals in hockey.