Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem received rare global recognition when he met FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Sports Summit in Dubai. The brief but meaningful interaction highlighted how Nadeem’s achievements have reached well beyond the world of athletics.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the summit, where Infantino surprised the Pakistani star by showing detailed awareness of his performances. During their conversation, the FIFA chief asked about Nadeem’s best javelin throw. The Olympian responded that his longest effort stood at over 92 metres and added that his focus is now on pushing that mark even further.
Infantino praised Arshad Nadeem’s rise on the international stage, offered him best wishes for upcoming competitions, and posed for photographs with him. The moment quickly gained attention online, drawing admiration from sports fans in Pakistan and abroad. For Nadeem, the exchange was especially encouraging, as he did not expect the head of world football to already be familiar with his journey and records.
The Dubai meeting followed another major milestone in Nadeem’s career earlier in the week. At the same World Sports Summit, he was honoured with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award in the Global Breakthrough Athlete category. The award recognized his historic performance at the Paris Olympics, where he claimed gold with a massive 92.97-metre throw, setting a new Olympic record and establishing himself among the world’s elite.
That record-breaking effort also surpassed a long-standing Olympic mark held for 16 years and delivered Pakistan its first-ever Olympic gold medal in javelin throw. The achievement has been widely described as a turning point for athletics in the country.
Speaking after receiving the award, Nadeem called the recognition a moment of pride for himself and for Pakistan. He said international appreciation of his work would motivate young athletes and help grow interest in javelin throw at the grassroots level. He also shared that his next major targets include the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, adding that the honour from Dubai has given him renewed confidence.
Government officials and sports figures also congratulated Nadeem, calling his success a symbol of perseverance and dedication despite limited resources. Observers believe that both the award and his meeting with Infantino represent a significant boost for Pakistani sports on the global stage.
As Arshad Nadeem continues to train for future competitions, moments like these reinforce his status as not just a national hero but a globally respected athlete, reshaping how Pakistan’s presence in international athletics is viewed.