As his plane touched down the runway, the premises of the Lahore Airport resonated with slogans ‘long live Pakistan, long live Arshad Nadeem’ by the excited and jubilant crowd present there for long hours to have a glimpse of their hero who won their country Gold Medal at Paris Olympics 2024 after 40 years in the history of Pakistan.
Federal and provincial ministers, officials of the Punjab Sports Board, Athletics Federation of Pakistan and politcal leaders and workers greeted their hero.
Athletics Federation of Pakistan President Brigadier (Retd) Wajahat Hussain reached the airport to welcome Arshad Nadeem.
Talking to the media, he said Arshad Nadeem is the first spark, and the rest of the athletes will also bring medals. Citizens reached the airport to welcome national hero Arshad Nadeem.
The plane of hero Arshad Nadeem was saluted with traditional water cannon. The government officials including Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Shaza Fatima, Faisal Khokhar and Rana Mashhood reached the airport to welcome the 27-year-old national hero.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari and other dignitaries were also present there to welcome Arshad Nadeem. On this occasion, a short but solemn ceremony was held in airport lounge.
The relatives of Arshad Nadeem including mother, father and sisters were also present at the airport. Arshad Nadeem and his family were seated in the state lounge.
Strict security arrangements were made. A contingent of police and rangers reached the airport. The Lahorites reached the airport to welcome the national hero Arshad Nadeem.
Thousands of supporters, including those from his hometown of Mian Channu, Chak 101, gathered to catch a glimpse of their champion.
A grand reception, featuring a Punjab Police band, greeted Nadeem, who was also provided with a historic VVIP protocol by Lahore Police. Over 150 officers and personnel ensured his security, with an elite convoy escorting him throughout the route.
Nadeem was accompanied by his coach Salman Butt and Major General (Retd) Muhammad Akram Sahi, Vice President of Asian Athletics and Chairman of South Asian Athletics. The Lahore Traffic Police, under the supervision of SP Munir Hashmi, ensured smooth operations on roads leading to the airport.
The javelin superstar returned home via Turkish Airlines flight TK-174. His flight departed 27 minutes late from Istanbul Airport and landed at the Lahore airport at 1:24. According to Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority sources, the flight adopted a routine route and entered Lahore via Balochistan and Karachi. The flight took 5 hours and 23 minutes to reach Lahore from Istanbul.
