ISLAMABAD – Pakistan – In a move raising eyebrows across Pakistan’s athletics community, javelin star Arshad Nadeem will be accompanied by his coach Salman Butt to the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games, despite Butt being served a lifetime ban by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) for alleged constitutional violations.
The ban, issued on October 12, prohibits Butt from any role in athletics—as a coach, official, or participant—both nationally and internationally. Yet the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has issued accreditation for Butt to remain part of Nadeem’s support staff, citing the athlete’s preference and his Olympic-scholarship status under the International Olympic Committee Athlete Support Programme.
While the AFP argues the accreditation undermines its authority and violates its constitution, the POA insists its decision safeguards Nadeem’s “professional development, mental welfare and competition rights.” With legal hearings pending and a renewed inquiry session scheduled for November 13, this clash underscores the tension between athlete interests and governing bodies.
As the Games approach, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s only remaining world-championship medallist and the controversial coaching figure backing him, with broader implications for the management and governance of sport in the country.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.