‘We Were Never Close Friends’: Neeraj Chopra Clears Air On Arshad Nadeem Equation After Social Media Backlash

Neeraj Chopra clarified that he and Arshad Nadeem were never close friends and said ties can’t remain the same between India and Pakistan after recent tensions.

Neeraj Chopra addressed the backlash he and his family faced on social media for inviting Nadeem to the now-postponed NC Classic in Bengaluru.

Source : PTI

Neeraj Chopra, two-time Olympic medallist, clarified that he and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem were never particularly close friends, adding that relations between India and Pakistan can't remain unchanged after the recent conflict. Notably, Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem are among the world’s top javelin throwers, both having won Olympic gold medals. On the eve of the Diamond League in Doha, reigning world champion Chopra clarified his relationship with Arshad, who edged Chopra out to win gold in the Paris Olympics.

Neeraj Chopra addressed the backlash he and his family faced on social media for inviting Nadeem to the now-postponed NC Classic in Bengaluru, following last month’s terror attack in Pahalgam which led to the cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. Chopra also sought to clear the air about his equation with Nadeem.

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"First I would like to clarify that I don't have very strong relationship (with Nadeem), we were never really close friends or something. But, because of this (tensions on the Indo-Pak border), it will not be like before. But if someone talks to me respectfully I reciprocate the respect," PTI quoted Chopra as telling the reporters during a press conference.

"Yes, as an athlete we have to talk, I have some good friends from the athlete community from all round the world, not only in javelin throw, but also other events. If somebody talks to me respectfully, I will also talk to him with full respect,” the Indian javelin star added further.

"Javelin is a very small community and everyone is competing for their country and everyone wants to give their best."