Neeraj Chopra urges sponsors, Pakistan govt to support Arshad Nadeem

India’s Neeraj Chopra has urged sponsors and the Pakistan government to support javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem.

While speaking to Geo News, Nadeem had earlier revealed that the only international standard javelin that he had is currently out of shape. Consequently, he is currently training with a locally-made javelin but that could lead to injury.

“It’s hard to believe that Nadeem doesn’t have the means to purchase a javelin,” Chopra told SAI Media.

“Given his credentials, this should not be a big issue at all. It can’t be that Nadeem doesn’t have the means to buy a javelin. He is a champion and must be doing some brand endorsements. I reckon he has earned a bit of money too.

“But having said that, his government can look at Arshad’s (Nadeem) need and support him just like how my government is doing so.

“Additionally, Arshad is top javelin thrower and I believe that the javelin makers will be more than happy to sponsor him and provide what he wants. This is a piece of advice from my side.”

Nadeem had also said that he is unable to prepare properly because “most of the times ground is not available for training due to events”.

The 27-year-old was also hopeful that he will get the opportunity to participate in couple of international events before the Olympics.

Nadeem also said that he will leave for South Africa soon in order to fine-tune his training for Paris Games.

The Mian Channu-born, who recently underwent a knee surgery, is also hopeful about regaining top fitness soon.

Last year at the World Championship in Hungary, Nadeem created history for the country by becoming the first athlete to claim silver medal with a throw of 87.82 metre, just below India’s Neeraj Chopra who won gold with a throw of 88.17m.

During the event, he also qualified for the Paris Olympics. However, last year he missed the Asian Championship, Asian Games and Asian Throwing Championship because of fitness issues.

Arshad’s personal best throw is 90.18 metre which he managed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

The javelin throw event in the Paris Olympics will be held at the France’s biggest venue Stade de France. The qualifying round will be held on August 6 with the final to be conducted on August 8. Arshad finished fifth in the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 84.62m in the final.

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