Overview

• Neeraj Chopra confirmed that invitations for the NC Classic, including one to Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem, were sent two days before the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
• Chopra emphasized that Nadeem's participation in the event is no longer possible, citing national interests and the aftermath of the attack.
• Arshad Nadeem officially declined the invitation, citing training commitments for the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea.
• Chopra and his family have faced significant online abuse and hate, with critics questioning his patriotism and targeting his family members.
• Chopra condemned false narratives propagated by sections of the media and reaffirmed his commitment to representing India with pride on the global stage.