Neeraj Chopra Withdraws Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem Invite Amid Tensions Following Kashmir Attack
A Sporting Gesture Turned Political Firestorm
BENGALURU, India — What began as a promising attempt at fostering sporting unity between India and Pakistan has come to an abrupt and emotional halt. India’s Olympic gold medallist in javelin, Neeraj Chopra, has officially stated that Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem will not attend the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic on May 24 in Bengaluru, following the deadly militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week.
The tragic Islamist militant attack that killed 26 tourists has reignited tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, casting a shadow over potential sports diplomacy. In a candid and heartfelt post on social media, Chopra addressed the criticism he received over his original invitation to Nadeem — an invitation he says came purely from one athlete to another.
“An Athlete-to-Athlete Invitation, Nothing More”
Chopra, who famously clinched gold at the Tokyo Olympics and followed it with a silver at the Paris Games, expressed disappointment over the backlash. “There has been so much talk about my decision to invite Arshad Nadeem to compete… most of it has been hate and abuse,” he shared. “The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another — nothing more, nothing less.”
He emphasized that the Neeraj Chopra Classic (NC Classic) was envisioned as a stepping stone toward turning India into a hub for world-class athletic competitions, and even perhaps one day hosting a Diamond League event — a major goal for the nation’s athletics community.
Fallout from Kashmir Attack Changes Everything
Despite the criticism, Chopra initially remained firm in his decision, highlighting the spirit of sportsmanship and international competition. However, the mood in India changed drastically after the Tuesday attack in Kashmir, leading to intensified public and political pressure.
“After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours,” Chopra wrote, “Arshad’s presence at the NC Classic is now completely out of the question.”
While the criticism largely came from social media and political commentators, there had also been growing concerns over national security, optics, and public sentiment — all factors Chopra was clearly sensitive to.
Nadeem Had No Confirmed Plans to Attend
Reports from Pakistani media later revealed that Arshad Nadeem — Pakistan’s first individual Olympic medalist — never officially confirmed his participation in the Bengaluru event. The date reportedly clashed with his preparation for the Asian Athletics Championships, scheduled for next month in South Korea.
Nonetheless, the symbolic nature of his invite — and subsequent withdrawal — reflects the fragile state of India-Pakistan sports relations, which have been turbulent for decades.
Not the First Sports Disruption Between Rivals
The fallout isn’t isolated to athletics. Earlier this year, cricket saw its own share of cross-border drama when India’s cricket team refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, instead playing all its matches — including the final — in Dubai.
These events are further reminders of how geopolitical realities continue to affect the realm of sports, often depriving fans and athletes alike of the healthy rivalry that once defined India-Pakistan encounters.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Neeraj Chopra’s goal of elevating Indian athletics remains unchanged. The NC Classic will still feature elite international talent and is set to become a landmark event for the sport in India.
As for Chopra himself, he ended his post with quiet resolve: “The aim remains the same — to put Indian athletics on the world map. I just hope we can do that with peace, not hate.”
