Arshad Nadeem’s coach, Salman Butt, will travel with him to the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games next week, despite being handed a lifetime ban by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) last month.
The AFP imposed the ban on October 12, citing “gross violations of the federation’s constitution” and prohibiting Salman from taking part in any athletics-related activities — as an athlete, coach, official, or office bearer — at both national and international levels.
According to the federation, the decision was linked to “illegal and unconstitutional” elections held by the Punjab Athletics Association on August 31, which Salman oversaw as president until August 6. The ban followed AFP’s inquiry into Arshad Nadeem’s 10th-place finish at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
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However, Salman appealed the decision to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on October 14. The PSB appointed Senator Pervaiz Rashid as adjudicator to the case and, after reviewing AFP’s objections, ruled that the board had the jurisdiction to hear the matter. The next hearing has been rescheduled for November 13 following AFP’s request for more time.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has confirmed that Salman Butt will continue as Arshad’s coach. In a letter to the javelin star dated October 17, the POA reaffirmed its “full commitment to [his] professional development, mental welfare, and safeguarding,” stating that Salman would remain his Athlete Support Personnel under the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity Programme.
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Arshad, who won gold and broke the Olympic record with a 92.97m throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics, continues to receive the POA’s Olympic Scholarship. The association also assured him a “safe, dignified environment free from external interference” for training and competitions.