Waqar Zaka has welcomed Arshad Nadeem at the Lahore airport and rewarded him with $5000 (10 lac Pakistani rupees) as a token of appreciation as the athlete qualified for the final competition of ‘Javelin throw’ at the Tokyo Olympics.

Arshad was given a warm welcome upon his return to Pakistan.

In his hometown, Mian Channu, he was welcomed by a crowd of admirers chanting his name alongside slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad”.

Yesterday, the Punjab government announced a cash prize worth one million rupees each for javelin thrower Arshad, weightlifter Talha Talib and mountaineer Shehroz Kashif for their recent celestial performances at the Olympics.

Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimur Khan Bhatti said Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will hand the cash prizes to all the three athletes.

“Arshad Nadeem is the first Pakistani track and field athlete who directly qualified [for Olympics],” said Rai Taimur Khan Bhatti.

He added, “Arshad Nadeem and Talha Talib both made Pakistan famous.”