Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem has travelled to South Africa for a training camp without obtaining a Pakistan Sports Board NOC.
The development has raised questions about the official arrangements surrounding the star Pakistani javelin thrower’s overseas training.
According to a PSB source, Arshad travelled without informing the board about his departure. The source said the board recorded that he had not obtained a No-Objection Certificate before leaving Pakistan.
He is currently training in South Africa with coach Terseus Liebenberg. The camp is part of his preparations for two major international competitions scheduled for next month.
PSB Raises Questions Over NOC
The reported absence of a PSB NOC has created concerns about responsibility during the overseas training camp. Questions have emerged about who would handle official arrangements if Arshad faces any issue during his stay abroad.
Attempts to contact Arshad and his coach Salman Butt regarding the NOC matter were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Olympic champion is continuing his preparations in South Africa.
Arshad Nadeem Prepares for Major Events
Arshad Nadeem is preparing for the World Ultimate Athletics Championship in Hungary. The competition is scheduled to take place from September 11 to September 13.
He is then expected to travel to Japan for the Asian Games.
According to the provided schedule, the event will run from September 19 until October 4. The South Africa training camp comes during an important period for the 29-year-old athlete.
His recent performances have not matched the extraordinary level he achieved at the Paris Olympics. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Arshad finished ninth in the 12-athlete javelin final.
He failed to qualify among the top eight competitors. As a result, he did not receive the additional three attempts available to the leading eight athletes.
Looking to Regain His Best Form
The result marked a contrast with his performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Arshad won the gold medal there with a Games-record throw of 90.18 metres.
He later reached another milestone at the Paris Olympics. Arshad produced a remarkable throw of 92.97 metres to secure the Olympic gold medal.
The performance also established a new Olympic record. He later added gold medals at the Islamic Games and Asian Championships.
However, his recent throwing distances have remained below his Olympic record. His current training camp is expected to focus on consistency, confidence and competitive form.
Coach Terseus Liebenberg remains confident about the athlete’s ability to return to his strongest level. Liebenberg highlighted Arshad’s determination and mental strength throughout his career.
He believes the Olympic champion needs to reset his goals and rediscover his competitive hunger. Arshad Nadeem will now continue training in South Africa before his upcoming international assignments.
In other news read more about: Rishabh Pant Becomes India’s Leading Run-Scorer in World Test Championship
Attention will remain on both his preparations and the questions surrounding the reported absence of a PSB NOC.
