AMRITSAR/PANIPAT: Pakistan’s Razia Parveen, whose son Arshad Nadeem edged out Neeraj Chopra, personified the mutual respect in one in every of sport’s best rivalries when she mentioned her household “would’ve celebrated simply as joyfully” had the medals been reversed. “Neeraj can also be like a son to me. I used to be praying for him too. I want him all one of the best and hope he wins many medals,” Razia mentioned.
In Haryana’s Panipat, Neeraj’s mom Saroj Devi echoed the opposite proud mom amid the din of celebratory fireworks when she mentioned, “Woh (Arshad) bhi humara ladka hai (He’s additionally our son).” On whether or not she was dissatisfied that Neeraj needed to be content material with silver, Saroj Devi mentioned, “Koi baat nahin, ji (No regrets).It wasn’t a great day for him however he nonetheless proved his mettle. He has all the time received gold, so getting silver isn’t dangerous.”
Arshad’s household, natives of Mian Channu of Khanewal district in Pakistan’s Punjab, invited Neeraj to go to them every time it might be doable for him to make a visit.
Arshad and Neeraj are like brothers: Razia
Razia mentioned she was conscious of the particular bond that Arshad and Neeraj share because the go around the globe competing in numerous championships.
“My son tells me that their relationship isn’t nearly difficult one another within the javelin area, however of friendship and brotherhood, too.” Arshad’s father Muhammad Ashraf, a mason, has struggled all his life elevating eight youngsters.
“Powerful instances come and go. My son labored extremely arduous, and Allah rewarded him. Immediately, he has received the gold medal for our nation and introduced satisfaction to everybody,” Razia mentioned. Arshad’s elder brother Shahid Azeem, a police constable, mentioned his sibling typically spoke of getting his rival and good friend “go to his different household” in Pakistan.
“Let him come, and you will notice how warmly we welcome him proper from the airport.” He mentioned it was a matter of satisfaction for the subcontinent that two of its athletes had been now on prime of the world within the sport of javelin.
