In a recent press conference, Akram Sahi, the president of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), revealed that Olympian Arshad Nadeem has unfortunately been ruled out of the upcoming Asian Athletics Championship due to a knee injury.
According to Sahi, Arshad has suffered an injury in his right knee, adding to the challenges he faced following his left knee surgery last year. Regrettably, these circumstances have rendered Arshad unfit to participate in the Asian Athletics Championship, as stated by Sahi during the press conference held in Lahore.
Sahi attributed the responsibility for Arshad’s current predicament to WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority), accusing them of pressuring Arshad to compete in the recently concluded National Games, where he won a gold medal. The AFP president expressed his concerns about this decision, highlighting that they had advised WAPDA against taking any risks with Arshad’s case, considering his recent recovery from a knee injury.
Expressing disappointment, Sahi stated, “Arshad was compelled to participate in the National Games despite our warnings. In pursuit of a medal, he was forced to compete in an event in Quetta where the track conditions were not up to the mark.” He further urged the chairman of WAPDA to take responsibility for the well-being of national assets, emphasizing the need to protect and care for athletes.
It is noteworthy that the AFP invested approximately PKR 10 million in Arshad’s knee surgery in England, a significant expense aimed at ensuring his full recovery. Following his successful rehabilitation, Arshad participated in the 34th National Games held last month.
This unfortunate turn of events highlights the importance of prioritizing the welfare of athletes and the need for proper management and decision-making to safeguard their health and future participation in international competitions.
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