‘Hurts to see my integrity…’: Neeraj Chopra breaks silence on Arshad Nadeem invite after hate faced by family

Neeraj Chopra defends his invitation to Arshad Nadeem, emphasizing sportsmanship over hate, and speaks out against the abuse his family faced. (Image: PTI)

Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra stated that the invitation to Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan for the NC Classic was only from one athlete to another and that it is painful to witness his moral character being called into question for inviting a competitor from the other side of the border just before the Pahalgam terror attack.

Neeraj stated that he finds it painful to witness his family and himself being mistreated and having their moral character being questioned.

Neeraj invited Nadeem, who had won gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, to the first Neeraj Chopra Classic, which will take place in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 24.

“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 posted on X on Friday morning.

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Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 25, 2025

“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," Neeraj said.

“The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another, nothing more, nothing less. The NC Classic aimed to bring the best athletes to India and for our country to be the home of world-class sporting events," Neeraj added.

Due to other obligations and the upcoming Asian Athletics Championship, Nadeem rejected the invite.

Neeraj stated that the invitations were sent out on Monday, two days before to the terror assault in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.

Given all that had transpired over the past two days, Neeraj stated that Nadeem's involvement was completely out of the question.

Neeraj, an armyman and one of India's most celebrated athletes, said it is painful to have his moral character being questioned.

Neeraj brought up his mother's remarks about Nadeem, describing him as her child after the latter won the Paris gold, to illustrate how people's perspectives may change.

“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," Neeraj said.

Heartbroken by the tragic attack in Jammu & Kashmir. Prayers for the victims and their families. Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 22, 2025