NEW DELHI: Neeraj Chopra, the poster boy of Indian athletics, has invited Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem for an eponymous javelin competition in Bengaluru next month but the Pakistan ace is yet to confirm his participation.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic on May 24 will be a World Athletics Gold category event featuring former world champions Anderson Peters and Julius Yego, 2016 Olympic winner Thomas Roehler and American Curtis Thompson among others.

However, there is still uncertainty over Arshad’s participation, who edged out Neeraj in the final of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Days before the tournament’s inaugural edition, Neeraj revealed he had a word with Arshad and invited him just like all the athletes.

“I have spoken to Arshad,” Chopra, who won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, told a virtual press conference on Monday. “I have sent an invitation to him and he said he will get back to me after discussing with his coach. As of now he is yet to confirm participation.

“As soon as it is confirmed, you will find out. But yes, Arshad has been invited, like all the other top throwers. It will involve government [permission]. Once everything is confirmed, we will know the final list.”

India and Pakistan have suspended bilateral cricket over their soured political relations though the bitter neighbours continue to engage in Olympic sports.

The last time the record-breaking duo squared off against each other was in Paris last year. Neeraj delivered his season-best attempt of 89.45m, but it wasn’t close to Arshad’s humongous 92.97m.

Chopra is the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win an Olympic gold, world championship and the Diamond League and has single-handedly raised the profile of Olympic sports in an otherwise cricket-mad country.

Having an event bearing his name, like pole vaulter Armand Duplantis has one Sweden, is another dream Chopra wanted to fulfil. He said his current coach Jan Zelezny, the legendary world record holder, suggested that the event should be named after the Indian superstar.

“I was talking to Zelezny about this event and he said that it would be good if it is named after me,” the 27-year-old said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to see India host a world class athletic event.

“To have such an event, that too named after me, feels surreal. I am very excited. I have won Olympic and other medals for the country. Now with this event, I am giving back something to Indian athletics, to Indian athletes and the fans.

“This is going to be an annual event and were are going to expand it to include more disciplines. People will get to see top throwers competing right in front of their eyes. It would be a major boost for local talent, who will get to perform against the best athletes.”

He also expressed hope that a Diamond League event will be held in India in the near future.

“We will try to bring a Diamond League event to India … I think it is possible,” Chopra said. “We have the stadiums and World Athletics is aware of the growing popularity of these events in India. They also want more crowd follow athletics.

“I hope, in the future, a Diamond League event comes to India. It will be a good thing. I think our athletics will improve.”

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025