Neeraj Chopra Breaks Silence On Inviting Arshad Nadeem For Javelin Event In Bengaluru, Says Participation ‘Out of Question’ After Pahalgam Attack

India’s javelin star and two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra has spoken out over growig backlash following an invitation extended to Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem for the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic. In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, Neeraj clarified the circumstances around the invite and addressed the wave of negativity that has followed him and his family.

Chopra, deeply affected by the public reaction, revealed that his family has also been unfairly targeted. He wrote “It has been incredibly painful. 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.”

The 26-year-old athlete explained that the invite was part of a larger vision to elevate Indian athletics by bringing top talent to compete on home soil. “The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another nothing more, nothing less,” he said. “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 also made it clear that the timing of the invite preceded the attack. “Invites had gone out to all athletes on Monday, two days before the terrorist attacks at Pahalgam,” Neeraj stated. “After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Arshad's presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question.”

Neeraj also condemned the personal attacks his family has endured. “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,”

Arshad Nadeem rejects invite for Neeraj Chopra's event

Paris Olympics gold medallist Arshad Nadeem has declined the invite for Neeraj Chopra Invitational javelin throw event as it clashes with his Asian Athletics Championship training period. According to PTI, Nadeem is grateful for the invite from Neeraj but is occupied with his training for the upcoming Asian Championship, which will be held from May 27-31. Nadeem's decision also comes after the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

About Neeraj Chopra Classic event

The Neeraj Chopra Classic, hosted at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium, is the highest-rated athletics meet ever held in India. Recognized with a prestigious Gold Label by World Athletics, the one-day javelin event is expected to feature some of the sport’s biggest global names and offer significant ranking points on the international circuit.

Full List of Javelin Throwers at Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025:

Anderson Peters, Thomas Rohler, Julius Yego, Curtis Thompson, Genki Dean, Luiz Mauricio da Silva, Rumesh Pathirage.