Arshad Nadeem declines invitation as Neeraj faces backlssh: Neeraj Chopra Classic is an event named after ace javelin superstar of India, Neeraj Chopra which is going to be held on 24th of May 2025. This event is being organized for the first time in which all the leading javelin stars of the world is expected to participate.
Neeraj has also sent the invitation of participation to Arshad Nadeem, his fellow athlete from neighbouring country Pakistan but it is reported that he has declined the invitation citing that it overlaps with his schedule for preparation of Asian Athletics Championship 2025 which is going to be held in Gumi, South Korea from 27-31 May 2025.
Reason: Why Arshad Nadeem declines invitation
As per reports, Arshad Nadeem has said that he is leaving for Korea on 22nd of May in order to have a good preparation before the start of the Championship. According to PTI, Nadeem is grateful for the invite from Neeraj but is occupied with his training for the upcoming Asian Championship.
Arshad Nadeem had won gold in Paris Olympics 2024 with a record throw of 92.97m defeating Neeraj Chopra who had won Silver with 89.45m throw and Anderson Peters of Grenada won Bronze with 88.54m.
Why the Neeraj Chopra Classic event has been moved from Haryana to Bengaluru?
The inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw competition has been moved to the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru from the original proposed venue of Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana owing to issues with floodlights at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium.
Two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra, after whom the event has been named, will headline the event.
Anderson Peters of Grenada and Julius Yego of Kenya, both former world champions, have also confirmed their participation for the meet and so has Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Thomas Roehler of Germany.
Current world leader in men’s javelin throw, Curtis Thompson of the USA, is also expected to compete.
Neeraj last competed on home soil at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar last year, throwing 82.27m in his build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Indian javelin thrower began this 2025 athletics season with a win at the Potch Invitational Meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa and will be competing at the Doha Diamond League on May 16 before travelling back to India for the NC Classic and then he will travel to South Korea for the 26th Asian Athletics Championship.
The NC Classic will also serve as a crucial qualification event for the World Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled in Tokyo from September 13 to 21. Neeraj, the reigning world champion, has already secured his spot.
Neeraj faces backlash from fans…issues strong statement in response
After the Pahalgam terrorist attack which took place on 22nd of April 2025 where 28 tourists were killed in the Baisaran Valley which is also known as “Mini Switzerland” for its scenic beauty, Neeraj Chopra has been continuously facing hatred and animosity on the social media for inviting Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan.
Today he has issued a statement where he has defended his decision to invite Arshad for the inaugural NC Classic event. He said that that it was just an athlete to athlete invitation and that too was sent two days before the attack.
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 25, 2025
His statement read,
“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. Along with the entire nation, I am both hurt and angry at what has taken place.
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” he concluded.
NC Classic on Thursday confirmed the seven-man overseas roster with Nadeem’s name not being included. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, Kenya’s Julius Yego, Genki Dean of Japan, American javelin thrower Curtis Thompson, Luiz Mauricio Da Silva from Brazil, Germany’s Thomas Rohler and Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka, an upcoming South Asian star were among the seven overseas athletes announced and set to be taking part in NC Classic while the Indian roster is yet to be announced.