For days now, India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been at the center of a social media storm because of his invitation to Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem for the upcoming NC Classic in Bengaluru.
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What began as a gesture rooted in sportsmanship quickly spiraled into controversy in the wake of a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam.
Neeraj, who usually keeps his emotions off the internet, finally decided to clear the air. In a public statement, he addressed the abuse and the timeline of the invite.
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Why was Arshad Nadeem invited in the first place?
In a heartfelt post, Neeraj said that the invite sent to Nadeem was not political, it was professional. The two have competed in some of the world’s biggest sporting events and share mutual respect as athletes.
Neeraj said he had reached out to Nadeem two days before the Pahalgam attack to bring the best names in javelin together for the inaugural edition of the NC Classic.
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The event, which has been awarded Gold Label status by World Athletics, is intended to promote javelin as a marquee discipline in India. Inviting top international throwers like Nadeem was part of that vision.
Neeraj said that the negativity he and his family have faced since the invite went public has been deeply painful. While he normally avoids engaging in online spats, this time was different.
"I am usually a man of few words, but that doesn't mean I will stay silent when I see something wrong-especially when my love for the country and the honour of my family are being questioned," he wrote.
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 25, 2025
Is Arshad Nadeem still coming to the event?
No, the Pakistani athlete has since confirmed that he won’t be participating. Nadeem, who recently defeated Neeraj in the 2024 Paris Olympics with a record-breaking throw, stated that he would be in Korea during that time to prepare for the Asian Athletics Championships.
What makes the NC Classic such a big deal?
The NC Classic, set to be held on May 24 in Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium, is no ordinary track and field event. Backed by JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India, and World Athletics, this meet is India’s first Gold Label athletics competition.
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It promises world-ranking points and has already attracted top global talent. Neeraj's involvement as both host and competitor adds another layer of prestige to the event.