Properly focusing on Arshad Nadeem: AFP chief
The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has created a huge problem for athletes and federations, writes Alam Zeb Safi.
Because of extension in time-frame of Tokyo Olympic Games, the athletes will have to be properly looked after. And Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) president Maj Gen (retd) Akram Sahi said they are properly focusing on javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem. “Yes, we are looking after Arshad properly and he is in safe hands as he is our precious asset."
“He was training at Lahore and we sent him home the other day because of the prevailing situation in the country due to lock-down. The coach has given him training plan and he will keep his light training at home,” said Sahi, also a former international athlete.
Arshad thundered to the Olympics through a huge throw in the 13th South Asian Games held in Nepal last year. “Currently the government’s training centers are also closed. Once the situation turns better Arshad will resume proper training,” Sahi said.
The AFP had arranged a training tour of Finland for Arshad from May 1 but the plan could not be implemented because of the corona-virus issue.
“All centers around the world have closed down and sending Arshad to Finland is not possible. As Olympics have been delayed we will see a window for foreign tour close to the Games. Our sponsors are with us and hopefully everything would be fine,” Sahi said.
Following the South Asian Games the AFP sent Arshad and four other athletes to Nanjing, China, in December last year but their training tour was cut short after corona-virus outbreak in Wuhan.
Besides Olympics the AFP will also prepare Arshad for the Asian Championships and World Championships which are yet to be finalized.
“Yes, the continental and global events are on our radar and once the schedule is confirmed we will prepare Arshad for those events too,” Sahi said.
The 2018 Asian Games bronze medalist and former Under-20 World No. 3 has been a prolific athlete. His graph is constantly going up. On Tuesday Arshad seemed both happy and sad when Olympics were postponed. “I am happy as it was inevitable because of the corona-virus issue as human health is more important than anything else. I am sad because I achieved a perfect shape following some good training. But still I am confident. I will prepare much better as now I have got more time,” Arshad said.
Besides Arshad, a female athlete will be part of Pakistan’s contingent in the Olympics through a wild card. As the Games have been postponed the best female athlete at the time near Olympics will represent the country as per rules.
