Neeraj Chopra issues statement: Invitation to Arshad Nadeem was from one athlete to another, after events in Palagham his presence was out of question | Sport-others News
Neeraj Chopra said that the invitation to Arshad Nadeem for participating in NC Classic – javelin event to be organised in Bengaluru next month under the name of India’s Olympic champion – was extended before the events in Kashmir. Neeraj, who said he and his family have been subject to hate and abuse, said Arshad’s participation in the event was ‘completely out of the question’ after the events of the last 48 hours in Pahalgam, a terror attack which left 26 dead and several others injured.
“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,” Neeraj said through a statement posted on his social media channels. “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 terror 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.”
Earlier this week, Neeraj had addressed a press conference where he confirmed the initial l of participants in NC Classic, also confirming that the event had been moved to Bengaluru from his home state in Haryana. During the conference, he had said invitations had been sent out to many top javelin throwers and Paris Olympic champion Arshad too was invited, although he hadn’t confirmed his participation then. Last night, the organisers confirmed the final l of international participants and Arshad’s name was absent.
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“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,” Neeraj said.
Full Text from Neeraj Chopra’s response
Neeraj Chopra’s post on X.
“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,” he added.
Neeraj, who is among India’s all-time great sportspersons already having won a gold and silver at the Olympic Games, also said that it was disappointing to see his integrity questioned.
“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.”Story continues below this ad
“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,” he signed off.
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