Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem received an unusual present from his father-in-law, Muhammad Nawaz – a buffalo. This conventional and sentimental gift recognizes Nadeem’s remarkable success in the javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics with his record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters.
Nawaz clarified that giving a buffalo as a gift is considered “very precious” and “honorable” in their rural community.
Since Nadeem comes from the same village, Khanewal, Punjab where he currently lives with his parents and brothers despite being internationally successful, Nawaz gave him the buffalo because traditions are deeply rooted within their society and because of Nadeem’s strong link to his own rural background.
Ayesha; Nawaz’ daughter is married to Nadeem; they have two sons and one girl child between them. Six years ago life was such for these people as envisaged by Nawaz where he particularly pointed out that during this time period when considering how little he had, Nadeem continued focusing on sports.
In Parami News, Nawaz said: “He would constantly practice throwing the javelin at home and in the fields.” Quoting an article titled, Pakistani javelin-thrower gifted buffalo upon returning home after winning Bronze Medal at Tokyo Olympics. The quote reads: “When we decided six years ago to marry our daughter to nadeem, he had part time jobs and ran errands but was very passionate about his sport,” explained nawaz.
Admiring on how humble and respectful nadeem has grown up to be since becoming an athlete while mentioning also that two of nadeems kids are now attending school in town whereas one last born child remains young yet mentioned besides by him was among other things the fact that two of nades children have started going to (the) local primary school while their youngest son is still very young.
This gift is symbolic of the pride and honor that Nadeem’s family and village have for him. Muhammad nawaz giving nashit a buffalo to symbolize the deep respect, value engraved in their culture also draws out nadeems strong connection with his heritage.
The rise of Nadeem from a small Punjab village to an Olympic champion demonstrates his dedication as well as community support that never wavered.
