Neeraj Chopra Responds to Backlash Over Inviting Pakistani Athlete

Neeraj Chopra Explains Why He Invited Arshad Nadeem

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra recently addressed the controversy surrounding his invitation to Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025.

Chopra took to social media to clarify his intentions, saying that the invitation was simply a gesture of sportsmanship between two athletes and nothing more. He emphasized that the goal of the NC Classic was to attract the world’s top athletes to India and establish the country as a hub for world-class sporting events.

Chopra also revealed that invitations were sent out to all athletes on Monday, two days before the tragic terrorist attacks in Pahalgam. These attacks have unfortunately overshadowed the positive message of the tournament.