Although Pakistan showers its Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem with cash prizes and other valuable awards, his father-in-law has decided to gift the burly javelin thrower a buffalo as it fits well with his rural upbringing and traditions.
Muhammad Nawaz told local media in Nadeem’s village on Sunday that giving a buffalo as a gift is considered “very valuable” and “honorable” in their village.
Nadeem won the javelin throw in Paris with an Olympic record of 92.97 meters, relegating India’s Neeraj Chopra to second place.
“Nadeem is also very proud of his roots and despite his success, his village is still his home and he still lives with his parents and brothers,” said Nawaz.
The father-in-law added that he has four sons and three daughters and that his youngest daughter Ayesha is married to Nadeem.
Nawaz also revealed that the couple has two sons and a daughter.
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Hailing from the rural area of Khanewal in Punjab, Nadeem had very limited resources to train and travel abroad for competitions. His villagers and relatives donated money to enable him to compete abroad at a young age.
Nawaz also said that when he decided to marry his daughter to Nadeem, he was a man of limited means but had the hunger to succeed in sports, for which he trained in the fields of his village.
“When we decided to marry our daughter to Nadeem six years ago, he was doing small jobs and running errands but was extremely passionate about his sport and was constantly practicing javelin throwing at home and in the fields,” said Nawaz.
Nawaz added that he was very happy with Nadeem’s success and fame and that the javelin thrower, who became the country’s first individual medalist, showed great respect to everyone.
“When he comes to us, he never complains about anything and eats whatever we have at home,” he said.
“Two of his children now attend the local primary school in the village, while one son is still very young.”
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