The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic (NC Classic), a javelin event scheduled for May 24 in Bengaluru, has been postponed indefinitely due to the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The announcement was made on Friday evening via the competition's Instagram page.
The statement emphasized that the decision to postpone was made after careful consideration and consultation, with the well-being of athletes, stakeholders, and the broader community as the top priority. The organizers highlighted their belief in the unifying power of sports but affirmed that standing firm with the nation was paramount in the current critical moment. They expressed their gratitude and thoughts for the armed forces, who are at the forefront, safeguarding the nation. A revised schedule for the NC Classic will be provided in due course.
The NC Classic is India's inaugural international javelin competition, named after the Olympic gold medalist, Neeraj Chopra. This World Athletics Gold Label event aims to elevate India's global position in athletics. The competition was set to feature a stellar lineup of athletes, including Olympic and world champions Anderson Peters (Grenada), Thomas Röhler (Germany), Julius Yego (Kenya), and Curtis Thompson (USA), alongside Indian talents like Rohit Yadav, Sachin Yadav, and Sahil Silwal.
Neeraj Chopra had expressed his desire to give back to Indian athletics by hosting the event. He viewed hosting the event as a dream come true, emphasizing that it felt like giving back to Indian athletics. He had also mentioned inviting Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem to the event. However, Nadeem's participation was later withdrawn after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Prior to the postponement, Neeraj Chopra was scheduled to compete at the Doha Diamond League on May 16. Looking ahead, Neeraj Chopra is also set to defend his world championships title in Tokyo in September.
Neeraj Chopra, who is currently training with Jan Zelezny in South Africa, will also be competing in the Paris Olympics 2024. He is scheduled to participate in the javelin throw qualification rounds on August 6 and the final on August 8.
