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Muhammad Nawaz explained the reason for gifting son-in-law Nadeem a buffalo while speaking to local media in his village on Sunday, saying that such a gesture is considered “very valuable” and “honourable” in their village. read more
 "Arshad Nadeem's father-in-law gifts javelin star a buffalo for winning gold in Paris Olympics")
Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem celebrates after his Olympic record second attempt saw him win gold at the Paris Olympics. PTI
Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem has been showered with gifts ever since he beat Neeraj Chopra to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. In Nadeem’s case, rewards aren’t limited to cash prizes alone, with his father-in-law gifting him a buffalo back in his village.
Muhammad Nawaz explained the reason for gifting son-in-law Nadeem a buffalo while speaking to local media in his village on Sunday, saying that such a gesture is considered “very valuable” and “honourable” in their village.
Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more
Nadeem made history at the Stade de France in Paris on Thursday after winning men’s javelin gold with a Olympic record throw measuring 92.97 metres, becoming the first from his country to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics. India’s Chopra, who had won gold in Tokyo 2020, collected silver with a best throw of 89.45m.
“Nadeem also takes great pride in his roots and despite the success, his home still remains his village and he still lives with his parents and brothers,” said Nawaz.
The father-in-law added that he had four sons and three daughters, and his youngest daughter, Ayesha, was married to Nadeem.
Watch | Arshad Nadeem breaks down into tears, hugs mother upon return to Pakistan
Nawaz also disclosed that the couple has two sons and a daughter.
Hailing from the rural area of Khanewal in Punjab, Nadeem had very limited means to train and travel abroad for competitions, with fellow villagers and relatives donating money so that he could compete abroad in his early days.
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 do well in sports for which he used to train in village fields.
“When we decided to marry our daughter to Nadeem six years back, at that time he used to do small jobs and run errands but was extremely passionate about his sport and constantly practised throwing the javelin at home and in the fields,” said Nawaz.
Nawaz added that he was very happy with Nadeem’s success and fame, adding that the javelin thrower, who became the first individual gold medallist from the country, was very respectful towards everyone.
“Whenever he comes to our house he never complains about anything and eats whatever is there at our home,” he said.
“Two of his children have started going to the local primary school in the village while one son is still very young.”
Nadeem’s gift isn’t by any means the most unique reward for sporting excellence. While Chopra had been promised a year of unlimited travel by Indian airline IndiGo after his gold in Tokyo along with a seven-seater SUV from a businessman, Indonesian shuttler Apriyani Rahayu was promised five cows along with a plot of land and a house after winning badminton women’s doubles gold with Greysia Polii in Tokyo.
Then there are South Korean athletes for whom a medal of any colour grants an 18-month exemption from compulsory military service, which all able-bodied males must undertake at the age of 28.
With PTI inputs
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