Neeraj Chopra clarifies Arshad Nadeem invite, says participation ‘out of question’ post Pahalgam attack

Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra has issued a detailed clarification after facing intense backlash over inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. The invite, which came just days before the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, triggered a storm of criticism, with even Neeraj’s family being targeted online.

In a heartfelt post on social media, Neeraj defended the intent behind the invitation, stating it was a professional gesture from one athlete to another. “The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another — nothing more, nothing less,” he wrote, adding that the aim of the event was to elevate Indian athletics and bring global talent to compete on Indian soil.

Addressing the timing, Chopra clarified that the invites were sent two days prior to the Pahalgam attack. He strongly condemned the terror incident and confirmed that under the current circumstances, Arshad Nadeem’s participation was “completely out of the question.” The gold medallist also condemned the hate targeting his family, stating, “It has been incredibly painful... I will not stay silent when my love for the country and my family’s honour are questioned.”

Meanwhile, Arshad Nadeem has officially declined the invitation, citing a scheduling conflict with his training for the Asian Athletics Championship. His decision also came in the wake of the Kashmir terror attack, further cementing the athlete’s withdrawal from the Bengaluru event.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic, set to take place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, is a high-profile Gold Label athletics meet recognized by World Athletics. This one-day event aims to bring together world-class javelin throwers and boost India's standing in global athletics.