Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra responded to criticism over inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic event in Bengaluru in May 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attacks. Chopra clarified that the invitations were sent before the attacks and defended himself against social media backlash targeting him and his family.
Chopra emphasised that the invitation to Nadeem was purely from one athlete to another, with the event’s goal being to bring top athletes to India for world-class competitions. In a conversation with the media, Neeraj had said Nadeem was invited, alongside other top javelin athletes, but had not confirmed his participation.
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On Thursday, Nadeem declined the invitation to participate in the event due to other commitments. The event also issued its list of foreign participants without the Paris Olympics gold medallist.
“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,” Chopra wrote in a post on social media.
“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. Along with the entire nation, I am both hurt and angry at what has taken place.”
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“I am confident that our country’s response will show our strength as a nation and justice will be served. I have carried my country with pride for so many years now, and so it hurts to see my integrity being questioned. It pains me that I have to explain myself to people who are targeting me and my family, with no good reason. We are simple people, please don’t make us out to be anything else.”
“There are so many false narratives that certain sections of the media have created around me, but just because I do not speak up, it doesn’t make it true. I also find it difficult to understand how people switch opinions. When my mother – in her simplicity – had made an innocent comment a year ago, there was an outpouring of praise for her views.”
“Today, the same people haven’t held back from targeting her for that very same statement. I, meanwhile, will work even harder to ensure that the world remembers India and looks at it with envy and respect for all the right reasons. Jai Hind.”
