Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari, the former coach of Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, has expressed concerns regarding the athlete's fitness prior to his participation in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. According to Bukhari, Arshad was not in peak physical condition, which contributed to his disappointing performance in the event.
In an interview with The Express Tribune from Lahore, Bukhari remarked, "I saw him when he was doing throwing training and did not see the kind of spark in him that was required for winning medals at a major event." His comments highlight the critical role that fitness plays in an athlete's success, particularly in high-stakes competitions.
Bukhari, who coached Nadeem for eight years and played a pivotal role in his qualification for the Tokyo Olympics, emphasized that fitness has always been a fundamental focus of his training philosophy. He noted, "Fitness is the most important thing and the basic element for an athlete. If you are not fit, you should not go for an event." This perspective underscores the necessity of rigorous training and preparation in the lead-up to significant competitions.
Reflecting on Arshad's journey to the Tokyo Olympics, Bukhari recalled the challenges the athlete faced, including a bout with COVID-19 and an elbow injury. "Arshad had COVID and was suffering from elbow pain before the Tokyo Olympics. He had told me that if he did not achieve full fitness, he would not go. However, I worked hard with him and made him fitter, and you saw that his throw in Tokyo was quite good," he said. This past experience illustrates the importance of overcoming obstacles to achieve peak performance.
At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Arshad faced a shocking exit, failing to qualify for the top eight after finishing ninth in the finals. This result starkly contrasted with his historic achievement at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he delivered a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters to secure the gold medal. Despite winning several medals following the Olympics, Arshad's later performances have not matched the high standards he set during that event.
Bukhari expressed concern over Arshad's current trajectory, stating that the athlete's recent throws have not reflected his true potential. He was removed as Arshad's coach by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) after the Tokyo Olympics, with Salman Butt taking over the coaching responsibilities. Bukhari criticized this decision and suggested that Butt's influence has distanced Arshad from both the AFP and his former coach.
Despite the setbacks, Bukhari remains optimistic about Arshad's ability to return to form. He believes that the key to success lies in correcting the athlete's mindset and attitude. "Arshad does not need a big throw because he has already managed one at the Olympics. What he needs is to correct his mindset and attitude. These are important things if he wants to achieve more distinctions," he said.
Bukhari also called for improved collaboration among Pakistan's sports governing bodies to enhance the country's international performance. He stated, "Our country is brimming with talent, and if our sports bodies join hands and work for the promotion of sports, we can do much better in the international circuit." This sentiment reflects a broader need for unity and strategic planning in the development of sports in Pakistan.
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