Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic javelin gold medallist, has withdrawn his invitation to Pakistani rival Arshad Nadeem for the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru after receiving intense criticism. The invitation, extended earlier this year, had initially been seen as a gesture to promote sportsmanship, but the deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) led to a shift in Chopra’s stance.
In an emotional post on social media, Chopra, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, addressed the “hate and abuse” he had faced following the announcement. He clarified that his invitation to Nadeem was purely for sporting reasons, aiming to bring top athletes to India and elevate the country’s profile as a hub for world-class events. “The aim of the NC Classic was to bring the best athletes to India and for our country to be the home of world-class sporting events,” he explained.
However, after the attack in Kashmir, Chopra said that Nadeem’s participation was no longer feasible. “After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Arshad’s presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question,” he said, acknowledging the shifting dynamics.
Despite the controversy, Nadeem, who won gold in javelin at the 2024 Paris Olympics, had already indicated that he would not attend due to conflicting training commitments.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, which often spill over into sports. Earlier this year, the Indian cricket team opted not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing diplomatic concerns.
