Danish Kaneria slams PM Shehbaz Sharif’s token reward for Olympic Gold Medalist Arshad Nadeem

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has slammed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his gesture of presenting a cheque to Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem. Nadeem secured Pakistan's first Olympic gold medal in 32 years with a record-setting javelin throw of 92.97 meters in the men's final in the ongoing Paris Olympic Games 2024.

With his victory, Pakistan won its first individual gold medal at the Olympics. Previously, Pakistan had won only three Olympic gold medals, all in field hockey, in 1960, 1968, and 1984. Nadeem’s triumph was a significant milestone for both the player and Pakistan.

Danish Kaneria criticizes PAK PM’s insulting prize money for historic Olympic Gold medalist Arshad Nadeem

Despite such a historic triumph in the Olympics, Nadeem was awarded only 10 million PKR (approximately 3 lakh INR) by the Prime Minister, and even he posted a picture with the check alongside the Olympic gold medalist and Pakistan’s first Olympic men’s javelin champion.

In his congratulatory post, Mr. Sharif wrote, “Bravo Arshad 👏🏻! History made! Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 first Olympic men’s javelin champion, ArsNadeem, @ArshadOlympian1,ian1 brings home a historic #gold medal at #Paris2024! You've made the whole natproud,roud young man.”

Bravo Arshad 👏🏻
History made!
Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 first Olympic men’s javelin champion, Arshad Nadeem @ArshadOlympian1 brings home a historic #gold medal at #Paris2024 ! You've made the whole nation proud young man. pic.twitter.com/zRkG3RC3ND

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 8, 2024

Reacting to the honor given by Pakistan PM to Nadeem, Kaneria has labeled this amount as disrespectful to the Olympic gold medalist and his remarkable achievement. The former Pakistani spinner has pointed out that the prize money was significantly less compared to the prize amounts awarded by other countries to their Olympic heroes.

Kaneria demands better recognition for Olympic gold medalist Nadeem

Even Nadeem is expected to receive approximately 42 lakh INR as prize money for winning the gold at the ongoing Paris Olympics in 2024. Further taking a dig at PM Sharif, Kaneria noted that the cost of a round-trip flight from Lahore to Paris alone is around 243,069 PKR (nearly 74,000 INR).

He has urged the Prime Minister to provide a more respectful reward to Nadeem for his historic achievement in the Olympic games. Kaneria posted on X: “Mr. Prime Minister, at least offer a graceful congratulations. Delete the picture of the million rupees you gave—it does nothing for his real needs. This amount is so small he can’t even afford air tickets. It’s an insult to both Arshad and the nation, considering his ongoing struggles.”

Mr. Prime Minister, at least offer a graceful congratulations. Delete the picture of the million rupees you gave—it does nothing for his real needs. This amount is so small he can’t even afford air tickets. It’s an insult to both Arshad and the nation, considering his ongoing… https://t.co/OLQZAfWLvU

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) August 9, 2024

The former Pakistan spinner also congratulated Nadeem for winning the gold and setting a new Olympic record in javelin. Sharing a picture of Nadeem on X, Kaneria posted: “Congratulations to Arshad Nadeem 🇵🇰 for winning gold and setting a new Olympic record in the men's javelin at the Paris Olympics. What an incredible achievement! #Olympics #PakistanPride.”

Congratulations to Arshad Nadeem 🇵🇰 for winning gold and setting a new Olympic record in the men's javelin at the Paris Olympics. What an incredible achievement! #Olympics #PakistanPride pic.twitter.com/xXztPLg4tW

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) August 8, 2024

My training and hard work have paid off: Nadeem

Notably, Nadeem had said on his rivalry with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra after winning the gold: “My training and hard work have paid off. Like cricket, the javelin rivalry was present! People back home in Pakistan and India were eager to see us compete together. Rivalry is there when it comes to cricket matches, other sports, the two countries have a rivalry, but it's a good thing for the young people in both countries to watch our sport and follow us. It's a positive thing for both countries.”

Notably, Chopra had to settle for silver in the Olympics.