Neeraj Chopra ends silence on inviting Arshad Nadeem to India amid Pahalgam terror assault: ‘Hurts to see my integrity…’
Apr 25, 2025 12:34 PM IST
Neeraj Chopra revealed that he had despatched the NC Traditional invite to Arshad Nadeem two days earlier than the Pahalgam terrorist assault.
The Neeraj Chopra Traditional Javelin Throw occasion is about to be held on Might 24 in Bengaluru, and athletics followers in India will get to see some high stars in motion. However reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem rejected the invitation resulting from different commitments. Chatting with the media in Pakistan, Nadeem just lately revealed that he wouldn’t have the ability to take part in Neeraj Chopra’s occasion resulting from coaching dedication for the Asian Athletics Championship. The competitors will happen from Might 27-31 and Nadeem stated that he was scheduled to go away for South Korea on Might 22.
Arshad’s determination additionally got here after the Pahalgam terrorist assault in Jammu and Kashmir. The assault’s accountability has been claimed by The Resistance Entrance, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, in keeping with reviews.
Neeraj’s determination to increase an invite additionally stirred controversy, and the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist took to social media to make clear the problem. The invitation was despatched earlier than the terrorist assault in Pahalgam and he revealed that he has been on the receiving finish of abuse, and it has been directed at his household too.
He wrote, “I often am a person of few phrases, however that doesn’t imply I can’t communicate up in opposition to what I feel is incorrect. Extra so in relation to questioning my love for our nation, and the respect and honour of my household.”
“There was a lot speak about my determination to ask Arshad Nadeem to compete within the Neeraj Chopra Traditional, and most of it has been hate and abuse. They haven’t even left my household out of it. The invitation I prolonged to Arshad was from one athlete to a different — nothing extra, nothing much less. The intention of the NC Traditional was to deliver one of the best athletes to India and for our nation to be the house of world-class sporting occasions. Invitations had gone out to all athletes on Monday, two days earlier than the terrorist assaults at Pahalgam.
“In spite of everything that has taken place over the past 48 hours, Arshad’s presence on the NC Traditional was fully out of the query. My nation and its pursuits will all the time come first. To people who are going by way of the lack of their individuals, my ideas and prayers are with you.”
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Neeraj’s upcoming unique occasion will see two-time world champion Anderson Peters in motion, and he can even be joined by the likes of Julius Yego and Thomas Rohler.
The NC Traditional is co-organised by Chopra, JSW Sports activities, AFI and WA. It will likely be held on the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, and was initially slated to be held in Panchkula, however was later moved resulting from floodlight points
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