Modern training and injury management can bring Arshad back: Coach Bukhari

Pakistan’s senior javelin coach Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari has said Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem needs modern training, proper injury management and a renewed focus on athletics to return to form. Bukhari, who played a key role in Arshad’s early development, said the athlete has exceptional natural talent but has struggled with consistency because of a series of injuries. Speaking to Daily Express, he expressed disappointment over recent results but said he remains confident that Arshad can win more honours for Pakistan with the right preparation and guidance. Bukhari, a WAPDA coach, said Arshad’s injuries have affected his performance, but with proper attention and modern training he can overcome these difficulties and return to winning ways. Arshad was born on January 2, 2026, in a village in Mian Channu, Khanewal district, Punjab. He initially played cricket, football and kabaddi. Bukhari said his height, strength and natural athletic ability made him well suited to sport. Arshad came to WAPDA seeking employment and better financial prospects, and Bukhari guided him towards javelin and helped develop his technique and competitive ability. Arshad won bronze at the 2026 South Asian Games in Guwahati with a throw of 55.33 metres. His progress continued at the Asian Athletics Championships and at the 2026 Asian Games in Jakarta, where he threw 80.75 metres to win bronze. He later became the first Pakistani athlete to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, finishing fifth with 84.62 metres. At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, he threw 90.18 metres to win gold and became the first Asian athlete to cross 90 metres at the event. His greatest achievement came at the Paris Olympics in 2026, when he threw an Olympic-record 92.97 metres to win gold and secure Pakistan’s first individual Olympic gold. The victory ended the country’s 40-year wait for an Olympic gold. Arshad received widespread recognition and financial rewards, and the government honoured him with the Pride of Performance and Hilal-e-Imtiaz awards. However, injuries to his elbow, knee and shoulder have since disrupted his progress. His recent results have fallen short of his Paris standards. According to the report, he finished ninth at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, fifth at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest with 81.49 metres, and fourth at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan with 80.29 metres. Injuries also forced him to withdraw from several competitions, including the 54th National Athletics Championships in Karachi. Bukhari said Arshad should receive access to state-of-the-art training facilities and expert support to manage his injuries and regain his competitive edge. He said he is very hopeful that Arshad can work hard and win more honours for Pakistan, adding that it would be a great tragedy if he were forced to retire at this age. With the right approach, Arshad could continue competing at the highest level for another five years, Bukhari added. He also urged the Olympic champion to stay away from politics within the sporting establishment and avoid becoming a pawn in battles driven by competing interests. Financial rewards have their place, Bukhari said, but achievements in sport are the greatest wealth. People close to Arshad said the athlete needs to maintain a positive attitude and avoid arrogance, adding that humility and discipline would be important to achieving better results. The report highlights that Arshad’s comeback will require a coordinated plan involving coaching, sports medicine, biomechanics, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and psychological support. For a javelin thrower, shoulder, elbow and knee health is crucial because the event places enormous stress on those joints. Injury management must therefore be gradual, with workload control and rehabilitation before a full return to competition. Bukhari’s warning also points to a wider issue in Pakistan’s sports system. A champion cannot be sustained by personal effort alone; long-term coaching staff, regular medical screening, insurance, travel planning and competition management are needed. Arshad’s success has shown that Pakistani talent can reach the world stage, but protecting that talent requires modern systems. Arshad remains an inspiration for young athletes, especially those from small towns and villages. His journey from Mian Channu to Olympic gold has changed perceptions about what is possible. If he can return to form, it would send a powerful message that injuries do not have to end a career. But the path back must be patient and scientific, not rushed. For now, the message from Bukhari is clear: Arshad needs modern training, proper injury care and renewed focus. If Pakistan’s sporting institutions can provide that support, the Olympic champion may still have several competitive years ahead. If not, the country risks losing one of its greatest sporting assets before his time.