Childhood coach relishes success of new Olympic champion

AROUND 13 years ago when Rashid Ahmad Saqi saw Arshad Nadeem, he was convinced the tall teenager could become a world beater if groomed properly.

- FIROZ MIRZA

In alocal school-level meet at Mian Channu in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, the 14year-old Arshad was competing in almost all the track and field events but it was his gold medal exploits in javelin throw and shot put that impressed coach Saqi the most.

Arshad might be competing in the athletics competition but his dream then was to become a fast bowler. It all changed that day as Saqi took Arshad under his wings to hone his skills as a javelin thrower. "He was tall with broad shoulders. I knew he could be a world-class javelin thrower, so I started training him," Arshad's childhood coach told this daily.