Arshad Nadeem Responds to Criticism After CWG Disappointment, Says ‘Don’t Lose Faith in Me’
Pakistan’s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem has responded to the criticism that followed his disappointing outing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, urging fans and the media not to judge him solely on one performance.
Nadeem endured a forgettable campaign after managing a best throw of 75.39 metres, failing to finish among the top eight in the 12-man field and missing out on the final three attempts. It marked another setback for the star thrower after his 10th-place finish at last year’s World Championships.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage clinched the gold medal with a world-leading throw of 89.75m, while India’s Neeraj Chopra secured silver with 85.83m and compatriot Yash Vir Singh claimed bronze with 85.41m.
‘The Comments Hurt Me’
Speaking to Telecom Asia Sport, Nadeem admitted that the criticism from sections of the Pakistani media and on social media had deeply affected him and his coach, Salman Butt.
“My coach Salman Butt and I are deeply hurt by the negative comments in the mainstream media and on social media,” Nadeem said.
He appealed to supporters to continue believing in him, saying his achievements had come through years of dedication and perseverance.
“I request the fans and the media not to lose heart and not to stop supporting me. The respect Pakistan has earned around the world through my performances is the result of years of hard work,” he said.
Weather Hampered My Performance
Explaining his below-par showing, Nadeem pointed to the unusually cold conditions in Europe, saying they affected his body movement and, most importantly, his run-up.
“The weather was extremely cold, which made my body stiff and I couldn’t run properly. The run-up is the most important part of the javelin throw, and I wasn’t able to execute it the way I normally do,” he said.
The Olympic champion maintained that he was fully fit but was unable to adapt to the conditions on competition day.
Interrupted Build-Up
Nadeem also acknowledged that his preparations had been far from ideal. He skipped the early-season Diamond League competitions and only returned to action two weeks before the Commonwealth Games at the Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern meet in Switzerland.
He said persistent rain and a slippery runway at that event prevented him from gaining the momentum he had hoped for ahead of the Games.
Looking ahead, Nadeem said his focus has now shifted to the Asian Games, where he hopes to prepare under South African coach Terseus Liebenberg before travelling to Japan.
Concerns Over Support System
Nadeem’s disappointing campaign has also reignited debate over the support available to elite athletes in Pakistan.
According to reports, disagreements between the Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation (PAAF) and Nadeem over his coaching setup, coupled with funding constraints, affected his preparations. The reports claimed that a lack of financial backing limited access to overseas training, specialised coaching and modern sports science support.
The discussion has widened beyond Nadeem, with several Pakistani athletes raising concerns about inadequate institutional support despite representing the country at the highest level.
Now ranked 10th in the men’s javelin standings, Nadeem will be aiming to put the Commonwealth Games behind him and return to form in the lead-up to the Asian Games.
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