Arshad Nadeem Opens Up After Commonwealth Games Disappointment, Cites Weather and Lack of Support
Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem has broken his silence after facing widespread criticism over his disappointing performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, where he failed to qualify for the final eight in the men’s javelin throw.
Nadeem managed a best throw of 75.39 metres, well below his personal best, finishing outside the top eight and missing out on the additional three attempts reserved for the leading competitors. The event was won by Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage, who produced a world-leading throw of 89.75m, while India’s Neeraj Chopra claimed silver with 85.83m and Yash Vir Singh took bronze with 85.41m.
The result comes after another difficult outing at last year’s World Championships, where Nadeem finished 10th in the final.
‘Don’t Stop Supporting Me’
Responding to criticism from fans and sections of the Pakistani media, Nadeem admitted the backlash had been painful.
“My coach Salman Butt and I are deeply hurt by the negative comments in the mainstream media and on social media,” he told Telecom Asia Sport.
Appealing to supporters to remain patient, the Olympic gold medallist said he hoped fans would remember the years of hard work that brought success to Pakistan on the global stage.
“My request to the fans and the media is not to lose heart and not to stop supporting me. Whatever I have achieved has only been possible because Allah blessed me with the opportunity,” he said.
Cold Conditions Affected Performance
Nadeem attributed his below-par performance largely to the challenging weather conditions in Europe, saying the cold affected his movement and run-up—an essential part of the javelin throw.
“The weather in Europe was extremely cold, which stiffened my body and I was unable to run properly. The run-up is the most important part of javelin, and I couldn’t execute it the way I normally do,” he explained.
He added that while he was physically fit and injury-free, the conditions prevented him from performing at his best.
Preparation Disrupted
The Pakistani star also revealed that his preparations had been far from ideal. After missing the early-season Diamond League circuit, Nadeem began his campaign only two weeks before the Commonwealth Games at the Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern meet in Switzerland, where he finished ninth with a throw of 78.47m.
According to Nadeem, wet weather and slippery conditions in Switzerland also hampered his preparations.
Looking ahead, he said he intends to focus on the Asian Games and hopes to train under renowned South African coach Terseus Liebenberg before travelling to Japan.
Questions Over Institutional Support
Nadeem’s struggles have also reignited debate over the level of support available to elite athletes in Pakistan.
Reports have claimed that differences between the Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation (PAAF) and Nadeem over the retention of his long-time coach Salman Butt affected preparations. It has also been alleged that funding constraints limited access to foreign coaches, specialised trainers and modern training facilities.
The issue has sparked broader discussions about Pakistan’s sporting infrastructure, with other athletes also highlighting challenges related to financial and institutional support.
Following a difficult run of results, Nadeem has slipped to 10th in the men’s javelin world rankings, and will now look to bounce back in upcoming international competitions, beginning with his preparations for the Asian Games.
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