Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Arshad Nadeem Faces Row Over South Africa Trip Without NOC
Arshad Nadeem is a famous javelin thrower from Pakistan.
He went to South Africa to train with his former coach, Terseus Liebenberg.
Pakistan’s sports authorities say he did not get the permission needed before travelling.
This permission is called a No Objection Certificate, or NOC.
Officials say athletes must get approval before going abroad for training or competitions.
They have not announced a punishment, but one official said the issue could affect Nadeem’s future travel.
Nadeem is getting ready for competitions in Hungary and Japan.
His former coach believes he can return to his best performance.
Arshad Nadeem reportedly travelled to South Africa without obtaining a required No Objection Certificate from the Pakistan Sports Board.
A Pakistan Sports Board official said Nadeem did not inform authorities before leaving and may need to explain the trip.
Nadeem chose to train with former coach Terseus Liebenberg instead of training in Lahore.
He is preparing for the World Ultimate Athletics Championship in Hungary and the Asian Games in Japan.
The controversy follows criticism of Nadeem’s performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
- Who
- Paris Olympics gold medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, the Pakistan Sports Board, and former coach Terseus Liebenberg.
- What
- Nadeem reportedly travelled to South Africa for training without obtaining the required NOC from the Pakistan Sports Board.
- When
- Nadeem travelled the week before August 26, 2026; his upcoming competitions are scheduled for September 2026.
- Where
- Nadeem travelled from Pakistan to South Africa; upcoming events are in Hungary and Japan.
- Why
- He travelled to train with Liebenberg ahead of the World Ultimate Athletics Championship and the Asian Games, after criticism of his Commonwealth Games performance.
Sports Authorities’ Position
Coach’s Supportive View
Travel approval
Sports Authorities’ Position
A Pakistan Sports Board official said Nadeem did not inform officials or obtain the required NOC before travelling, and said this could affect future travel plans if he lacks a proper explanation.
Coach’s Supportive View
Terseus Liebenberg did not address the NOC issue in the reports but supported Nadeem’s athletic prospects and expressed confidence that he could rediscover his best form.
Preparation arrangements
Sports Authorities’ Position
The incident has raised questions about Nadeem’s coordination with Pakistan’s sports authorities and the arrangements governing his training abroad.
Coach’s Supportive View
Nadeem chose to train with his former coach in South Africa ahead of two major September competitions, rather than train in Lahore.
- Athlete
- Arshad Nadeem
- Reported issue
- Travel to South Africa without the required NOC
- Authority cited
- Pakistan Sports Board
- Training coach
- Former coach Terseus Liebenberg
- First upcoming event
- World Ultimate Athletics Championship, Hungary, September 11–13, 2026
- Second upcoming event
- Asian Games, Japan, September 19–October 4, 2026
- Management detail
- The Athletics Federation of Pakistan has reportedly had limited involvement in Nadeem’s management since his 2024 Olympic gold medal
