Arshad Nadeem’s gold medal couldn’t have come at a better time for Pakistan. A nation reeling politically and financially badly needed some good news. The debacle during the ICC T20 world cup for Pakistan from a heavily invested sport both emotionally and financially was an additional stress for the nation. A nation which seems has stopped believing possibly due to the turmoil at the top leadership. An odd success story in the form of a Noble Prize or an Oscar or now an Olympic Gold medal gives the nation hope now and then. This is exactly what Arshad has given as a message to the world. 

 

Yes, the nation is struggling but what Arshad has shown that it’s not the people’s fault; it’s the fault of the installed system and the selected leadership on us taking revenge it seems in the name of democracy. For me it’s nothing but a continued legacy of the imperialism that was there before partitions. Whilst our neighbors on the East broke shackles from the feudal theocracy. We just created laws of accommodation to keep the feudal and now billionaires alive. 

 

Anyways, it’s about Arshad today. From the struggles he has faced not only as an athlete but as a Pakistani to reach this epitome of success where there were no facilities, no special grants, no equipment so much so he was begging for an international quality javelin just a few months before Olympics represent today what every Pakistani goes through. I am sure you would have seen videos off him walking through dusty roads to a government school in a shabby condition with an undeveloped ground from a home which was struggling for a quality life like electricity, gas, or water. Arshad ignored all this and each day with sheer determination kept going. He chose to be different and instead of being a cricket player dreamt to break the norm. His determination and eventual success and that too by a big margin shows resilience of not only Arshad but of the Pakistani spirit.

 

He was lucky to get the right mentoring to get him there to embolden his belief. It was not the facilities or equipment or cash but sheer guidance and his hard work. This is a great example for every Pakistani where our system has failed to support each other and for those who have talent believe in themselves and keep trying and working hard and you would reach the pinnacles of success. 

 

He has also shown to the world that begging is not a solution. Now everyone; wants to have a piece of him and are trying to share the piece of pie which is his alone. I am sure with this now that he would get fame and fortune. He would at least change life of his family and should strive to ask all these visiting politicians to make his city of Mian Chunnu a model city at the least. He must mentor more and for the least stay out of the messy politics of Pakistan. 

 

The leadership should also learn to spot all such talent and at least get them going. They should acknowledge amongst all their failures and stress they have given to the nation. Arshad with his solo effort brought a smile to the face of the nation and gave hope that it could be done. We must not forget the coach and his mentors who kept him going without which this would not be possible. 

 

The message to the world is simple that an average Pakistani is not corrupt or a terrorist but a sheer hard worker who know how to create opportunity and keep it going. Someone asked me many years ago with all the follies of our leadership, the strength of our enemies (both foreign and domestic) and the geopolitical conditions dragging Pakistan each day into abyss. What keeps the nation afloat and resilient that it just doesn’t go down? It’s the people like Arshad Nadeem in every nook and corner of the country which keeps this nation afloat and wouldn’t let it go down. The world should see the strength of these not the weakness of our leadership. This is what we are. This is the Pakistani Spirit!!!! Pakistan Zindabad