Is there any other game besides cricket that Indians and Pakistanis can play? Stop everything Pakistanians, and tune in to the Javelin throw. Both players are from Pakistan (Arshad Nadim) and India (Neeraj Chopra). History was made on August 9th, 2024 with a javelin throw. Since then, it has become a popular sport among neighboring nations.
Neeraj Chopra finished first with a gold medal while Pakistan’s Nadeem ran second to win silver at the Olympic Games held in Paris in 2024 when he threw for 89.45 meters. Outside of the court, rivals become friends and this is what has caught people’s attention and brought closer India-Pakistan border.
Paris 2024: Neeraj Chopra wins silver, Pak’s Arshad Nadeem breaks record
Between two continents, brothers in pop culture are not separated by blood but by love of spear throwing which they have shared since childhood; other things also unite them like their humble beginnings within small townships situated near borders as well as hurdles to their careers. Neeraj grew up on a farm in Khandar village Haryana while Nadeem’s father Muhammad Ashraf worked as mason in Mian Channu village Pakistan. Nearly same age -just few months apart –they have now left a big mark on both societies with this extraneous sport!
Ministry of Public Transport photo
Their intense professional battle began four years ago alongside great personal friendship outside the field when they first met each other. ”My initial match with Neeraj was held at Guwahati India where I scored 78.33 million which was highest ever reach done by a Pakistani during that season” Nadeem recently stated after winning the Paris Olympics 2024 shared during the interaction. As time went on, they kept meeting each other participating in various competitions thus friendship grew between them.
However, people often try to create a rift between the two; but these athletes’ good sportsmanship and respect for each other prevented dirty politics from coming between Neeraj’s and Nadeem’s friendship. For instance, at the Olympics 2020 in Tokyo, there was one brief period when Neeraj could not find his Javelin. He later found that it was with Nadeem who mistakenly took it and asked him to return it only once he would play –a plea which Nadeem promptly acceded to.
Nevertheless, some misunderstood this event and attacked Nadeem on social media perceiving him as anti-India. However, Neeraj defended his friend supporting Nadeem by saying “I request you all not to use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interests and propaganda. Sports teaches us to be united. Watch.”
Some of the public response to what I recently said makes me very disappointed. Similarly, Nadeem is fifth overall in standings for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while Neeraj won gold despite the mishaps everyone agreed about Neeraj. On another note however, even if he could not defend his previous Olympic gold medal Neeraj praised Nadeem’s performance this time by calling it ‘his day.’
Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
As recently as March 2024, just months away from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nadeem was struggling to find a new javelin thrower or sponsor, and it was Neeraj who backed him. Neeraj even publicly appealed for help in getting a new spear for him.
Not only Neeraj but also his brother Nadeem won praises from their mother. After winning the silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and losing the gold medal to Nadeem. He said: “We are happy with our children being winners and it doesn’t matter if they take first or second place.” (Saroj Devi).
Nadeem’s mother also felt this way in Pakistan. “They’re not just friends; they’re brothers too”, Razia Parveen told Independent Urdu. She even added that “I pray for Neeraj again that God blesses him more”. He is like my own son, I would like to say thanks for praying for him so he can earn some medals.
Indeed, their love of sportsmanship shows that they have got gold and silver hearts as well as Olympic medals. It is friendship between two athletes who embody true sportsmanship. When the world needs more comradeship, respect among each other and professionalism.
Ali Zafar announces a reward of $1 million for Arshad Nadeem who will be award Gold Medal.
“Whoever is gold is ours.”
Only this mother can say this. Amazing.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 9, 2024
