Butt Highlights Collective Responsibility in Athlete’s Performance

Lahore: Salman Butt, coach of Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, has responded to the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) regarding the javelin thrower’s performance at the recent World Athletics Championship. Butt’s response defends his role after Nadeem did not qualify among the top eight athletes.

Butt’s communication to the AFP followed the athlete’s performance at the global competition. Butt, who was appointed as Nadeem’s coach in 2021, noted the athlete’s achievements, including a Paris Olympic gold medal, four gold medals, and one silver medal secured between 2022 and 2025.

Butt emphasized the unrealistic expectation for athletes to always perform at their peak. He affirmed his commitment to continue coaching Nadeem as long as the athlete desires.

Dismissing accusations of lacking cooperation, Butt stated he has always been available to share training details and progress with the federation.

Butt also suggested that the AFP had distanced itself from Nadeem’s training and activities during the past year.

He revealed that a friend of Nadeem provided financial support for overseas training, including two trips to South Africa for specialized preparation.

Details of Athlete’s Setbacks

Butt detailed that Nadeem commenced training for the 2025 season on December 10, maintaining contact with coach Terseus Liebenberg and Dr. Ali Sher Bajwa. Dr. Bajwa examined Nadeem multiple times, including three visits to Pakistan.

Nadeem suffered a leg injury on July 4, necessitating surgery in England, followed by a three-week rehabilitation program in London before competing in Tokyo. The coach added that the hot, humid conditions, along with a rigid javelin runway, led to discomfort and pain in the operated leg.

Calf muscle discomfort prevented Nadeem from achieving his best throw during the final round.

Butt concluded by stating that successes and failures should be collectively owned: “The responsibility should be equally distributed, from accolades in victory to setbacks in defeat.”
At the event last month, Nadeem began with a throw of 82.73 meters, placing him seventh initially. His second attempt was a foul, and his third measured 82.75 meters, followed by another foul. Nadeem did not reach the top eight, preventing him from earning three further attempts.

Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago secured his first global title since his Olympic gold in 2012, winning the men’s javelin final with a throw of 88.16m.