A Pakistani-American businessman has faced online ridicule after gifting a Suzuki Alto to Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem, who won gold at the Paris Olympics 2024 by defeating India’s Neeraj Chopra. Nadeem’s historic victory marked Pakistan’s first Olympic athletics medal and its first gold since 1984.
Syed Zafar Abbas Jafri announced in a video that businessman Ali Sheikhani would gift Nadeem a “brand new Alto car” upon his return to Pakistan. The Suzuki Alto, priced at ₹23.31 lakh in Pakistani rupees (around ₹7 lakh in Indian rupees), drew criticism from fans who felt it was an inadequate reward for Nadeem’s achievement.
Reactions on social media included:
“Dear Ali Sheikhani, rather than spending money on depreciating assets, why don’t you sponsor Arshad Nadeem’s nutritionist, trainer, or other support staff to help him break the world record in javelin?” asked Karachi resident Taimoor H on X.
“Well-done Ali Sheikhani … please make the Alto convertible. I am 6’1” and my head hits the roof. Hopefully, Nadeem bhai will be able to drive a topless car,” another user joked.
“This is an insult… he deserves a BMW or Audi,” said IT professional Rahul Jain.
Many other users responded with memes.
Arshad Nadeem in Alto 600 cc https://t.co/Mi3v4NvXtS pic.twitter.com/z0DRNbKUHu
— El Niño 🇮🇳 (@suppandiiii) August 12, 2024
Aur is baat par yeh water cooler hua Ali Sheikhani ka. #Arshad_Nadeem https://t.co/IWa53OzTWZ pic.twitter.com/pLQ9irFO9O
— Atika Mirza (@atika_mirza) August 12, 2024
Arshad Nadeem, 27, who is married with two children, hails from a poor family of eight siblings in Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan. Reflecting on his Olympic competition against Neeraj Chopra, Nadeem likened it to the historic cricket rivalry between the two nations. He has previously mentioned the difficulties of being a non-cricket athlete in Pakistan, where sports resources are limited. Nadeem expressed on social media, “This gold medal is a gift from me to the entire nation on the occasion of Independence Day (on Aug. 14).”
