Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem recently received a unique and meaningful gift from his father-in-law, Muhammad Nawaz—a buffalo. This traditional gift was given in celebration of Nadeem’s remarkable achievement in the javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics, where he made history with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters.
In their rural community, gifting a buffalo is considered a highly valuable and honorable gesture. Nawaz, who lives in a village and is the father of four sons and three daughters, explained that the gift was deeply rooted in their traditions and reflected Nadeem’s strong connection to his rural upbringing. Despite his international success, Nadeem continues to live with his parents and brothers in Khanewal, Punjab, maintaining close ties to his roots.
Nawaz’s daughter, Ayesha, is married to Arshad Nadeem, and the couple has three children—two sons and a daughter. Reflecting on the past, Nawaz recalled how, six years ago, Nadeem was a man of limited means, yet his passion for javelin was unwavering. “Six years ago, when we decided to marry our daughter to Nadeem, he was doing small jobs and running errands but was extremely passionate about his sport,” Nawaz told PTI. “He would constantly practice throwing the javelin at home and in the fields.”
Nawaz expressed immense pride in his son-in-law’s achievements, emphasizing Nadeem’s respectful and humble nature. He also mentioned that two of Nadeem’s children have now started attending the local primary school in the village, while the youngest son is still very young.
This traditional gift from Nadeem’s father-in-law symbolizes the pride and honor felt by his family and village. Muhammad Nawaz’s gesture of gifting a buffalo highlights the deep respect and value embedded in their culture, further illustrating Nadeem’s strong bond with his roots.
Nadeem’s journey from a small village in Punjab to becoming an Olympic champion showcases not only his dedication but also the unwavering support from his community.