Apr 25, 2025 10:01 AM IST
Neeraj Chopra revealed that he had despatched the NC Basic invite to Arshad Nadeem two days earlier than the Pahalgam terrorist assault.
The Neeraj Chopra Basic Javelin Throw occasion is about to be held on Might 24 in Bengaluru, and athletics followers in India will get to see some high stars in motion. However reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem rejected the invitation because of different commitments. Talking to the media in Pakistan, Nadeem lately revealed that he wouldn’t be capable of take part in Neeraj Chopra’s occasion because of coaching dedication for the Asian Athletics Championship. The competitors will happen from Might 27-31 and Nadeem mentioned that he was scheduled to go away for South Korea on Might 22.
Neeraj Chopra broke his silence on the controversial invite to Arshad Nadeem.(AP)
Arshad’s resolution additionally got here after the Pahalgam terrorist assault in Jammu and Kashmir. The assault’s duty has been claimed by The Resistance Entrance, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, in accordance with experiences.
Neeraj’s resolution to increase an invite additionally stirred controversy, and the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist took to social media to make clear the problem. The invitation was despatched earlier than the terrorist assault in Pahalgam and he revealed that he has been on the receiving finish of abuse, and it has been directed at his household too.
He wrote, “I usually am a man of few words, but that doesn’t mean I will not speak up against what I think is wrong. More so when it comes to questioning my love for our country, and the respect and honour of my family.”
“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. The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another — nothing more, nothing less. 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. Invites had gone out to all athletes on Monday, two days before the terrorist attacks at Pahalgam.
“After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Arshad’s presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question. 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.”
Right here is the complete submit:
Neeraj’s upcoming unique occasion will see two-time world champion Anderson Peters in motion, and he may also be joined by the likes of Julius Yego and Thomas Rohler.
The NC Basic is co-organised by Chopra, JSW Sports activities, AFI and WA. It will likely be held on the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, and was initially slated to be held in Panchkula, however was later moved because of floodlight points
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