Arshad Nadeem Declines Neeraj Chopra’s Invite for Bengaluru Event

In a small letdown for fans hoping to see a faceoff between India’s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the Olympic gold medallist from Pakistan has decided not to come for the upcoming NC Classic javelin event in Bengaluru on 24th May. Neeraj had invited Arshad personally to compete, but Arshad said his plans are already fixed for the Asian Athletics Championship in South Korea, and he won’t be able to attend the Bengaluru meet.

This decision came just a few days after Neeraj, while speaking to Indian media, said that he had reached out to Arshad and the two had a talk. Neeraj said Arshad was positive and told him he would check with his coach and get back. There was a bit of hope that the two giants of javelin throw would go head to head again, like in the Olympics, but now that won’t happen at this event.

Arshad, in a media chat, said that he will be flying to South Korea on 22nd May for the Asian Athletics Championships which is scheduled from 27th to 31st May. He said he’s working hard for that and his training is already in full swing. “I would’ve liked to take part, but timing wise it’s just not possible,” Arshad said. Some people online also connected his absence to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, but Arshad didn’t say anything about that and kept it only to sporting reasons.

Neeraj Chopra Faces Backlash Over Invitation

Neeraj Chopra faced controversy over this invitation. Critics and Netizens ask what was the need for this invitation in such a heightened tension period after the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. 

Neeraj later gave a clarification. He said that the invitation was given much before the Pahalgam attack even happened, and it had nothing to do with any politics. It was just from one athlete to another. He also said that he felt really bad about the personal comments and trolling that were done on him and even his family. Neeraj said his only aim was to support sports and build better atmosphere for athletics in the country. His message was simple—keep sports and politics separate, and focus on growing the game.

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About the Event:

Even though Arshad won’t be showing up, the NC Classic javelin meet in Bengaluru is still going to be one of the biggest events for Indian athletics. Neeraj Chopra, along with JSW Sports, AFI and World Athletics, is behind organising it. It’s the first time India is hosting something this major in javelin, and since it’s part of the Continental Tour Gold level, it kinda puts us on the global map in a bigger way.

A bunch of top athletes are coming too – like Anderson Peters, the two-time world champ from Grenada, and Thomas Röhler, who won gold back in Rio 2016. Kenya’s Julius Yego and USA’s Curtis Thompson, who’s leading this season, will also be there. The event was gonna happen in Panchkula first, but ’cause of light issues at the stadium, they shifted it to Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

For Indian fans, while missing Arshad vs Neeraj might be a bit disappointing, there’s still a great lineup and a chance to see top-level javelin throwers compete right here in India. It’s also a great platform for young Indian throwers to watch and learn, and for Neeraj to continue building interest in athletics across the country.