Indian Olympic javelin gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has addressed the backlash he received after inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, scheduled for May 24, 2025. The invitation, extended prior to the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives, drew criticism amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Chopra clarified that the invitation was purely a gesture from one athlete to another, emphasizing that it was sent two days before the Pahalgam incident. He expressed dismay over the personal attacks directed at him and his family, stating, “There has been so much talk about my decision to invite Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic, and most of it has been hate and abuse. They haven’t even left my family out of it.”
Following the attack, Chopra acknowledged that Nadeem’s participation was “completely out of the question.” Nadeem had already planned to skip the event due to a scheduling conflict with his training for the Asian Championships in South Korea.
Chopra reiterated his commitment to his country, stating, “My country and its interests will always come first. To those that are going through the loss of their people, my thoughts and prayers are with you.”
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The Neeraj Chopra Classic aims to bring top-tier athletic competition to India and is part of Chopra’s vision to elevate the country’s status in international athletics.
