LIFE’S reality is unveiled to those who can decipher its messages. Arshad Nadeem’s story emphasizes how Pakistan’s heroes struggle due to limited resources for international success. Witnessing Arshad Nadeem win a gold medal and bring pride to Pakistan was a moment every Pakistani aspired to experience. Especially, with the country’s diminished sporting reputation, Arshad Nadeem’s emergence as a champion is nothing short of a miracle for Pakistan. Arshad Nadeem’s incredible feat at the Paris Olympics has quickly gained worldwide recognition in a matter of minutes. He is worthy of being celebrated as a real hero. The national hero is receiving praise from everyone.
Before his historic achievement, Arshad Nadeem was on a solitary path. Today, the recognition goes solely to Arshad Nadeem and those who stood by him, proving that wealth does not determine faith. Just a few years ago, today’s hero was living without any support, relying solely on the encouragement of parents and a small group of friends. Yet, once he reached the goal, people took to social media to share their pictures and videos with Arshad Nadeem, demonstrating their support and dedication to the individual who achieved it on his own. Without a doubt, Arshad Nadeem deserves our endless gratitude. He accomplished something remarkable. He is undoubtedly the hero of this decade, if not the century.
It’s ironic how we only acknowledge the talent and potential of our youth when they demonstrate it to the world. How many individuals, groups, and sports organizations backed Arshad Nadeem while he was making history? Who witnessed his hard work and supported him during his dejection and confusion? No one is unaware of the answer. Despite needing it all, Arshad Nadeem encountered rejection. Today, he has achieved everything on his own. Just like a fearless lion, he won the gold medal with such dominance that no one could even come close. The national character is evident in how nations rally behind their heroes. The way societies back their talented youngsters is indicative of their social character. The support from loved ones is essential for an individual’s success. Arshad’s success can be attributed to his family’s unwavering support as he fearlessly pursued his dreams.
A colossal wall of resistance confronted Arshad Nadeem. Even his peers likely criticized him when he revealed his aspiration to become a javelin thrower. He lacked the funds to fuel his dream engine. Facing fear was probably a part of his journey towards his dreams. However, he accomplished everything on his own, with little to no support from the government or society. With his remarkable willpower and commitment, Arshad Nadeem has garnered unconditional support from society and the state. He’s been receiving accolades and the necessary support to navigate society. But the predicament lies in his assertion that he is worthy of all this. Had he not won a gold medal for us, he would still be stuck in the same situation he was in, unless he somehow compelled fate to unconditionally favour him.
The saying “all is well if the end is well” perfectly applies to Arshad Nadeem. Can we infer that Arshad Nadeem was not selected by the designated selectors to represent Pakistan in the Olympics? If that had been the case, he might have fallen prey to nepotism and favouritism. Pakistan has a significant number of Arshad Nadeems who are currently isolated. Elitism and favouritism have victimized many. Lack of support from families and friends is a common challenge faced by many. We lack a system to develop raw talent into a polished talent pool. In every sports field, Pakistan has an impressive talent pool. Unluckily, there has been a downturn in sports across the board and it is up to us to take action.
Supporting our youth in their aspirations is crucial. Whether its sports or education, a total shift in mindset is necessary. We have a collective duty to back individuals with talent and the potential for extraordinary achievements. Arshad Nadeem’s many accolades showcase that our society supports young individuals, but only when they bring glory to Pakistan. Nonetheless, this admiration is solely obtained when an individual achieves a tangible triumph through self-determination. Unfortunately, when young and talented individuals need serious support in challenging times, nobody believes in them. Arshad Nadeem has had a similar experience. The institutional structure in sports needs a complete transformation. It is crucial to establish transparency and accountability in the player selection process across different sports. Pakistan would see a significant increase in people like Arshad Nadeem.
Glory on a global scale is within reach for Pakistan. The fact that it doesn’t support its talented people in all areas of life is a major drawback. Disregarding the youth’s abundant talent hinders a nation’s path to greatness. What Arshad Nadeem achieved was an endeavour deemed impossible. Not everyone possesses the fortitude to accomplish such remarkable goals by themselves. Arshad Nadeem’s hard work has brought happiness to the whole country. At this moment, we cannot state that we have discovered Arshad Nadeem. Arshad Nadeem made his presence known to the world, creating history, and has now returned to his homeland to return his award. Without a doubt, Arshad Nadeem has made it clear that he is real. Let this nation always remember the contributions of this Iron Man during dark times. Our national hero, Arshad Nadeem, has earned massive respect for Pakistan. Many thanks, Arahad Nadeem.
—The writer is an educationist and a Commoner from 44th Common, based in Sargodha.
