Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem has respectfully declined an invitation extended by India’s Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra to participate in a javelin throw event scheduled to be held in India later this year.
The invitation, widely seen as a gesture of goodwill and sporting camaraderie, came as Chopra hoped to bring top-tier talent together to promote javelin throw across South Asia. However, Arshad Nadeem, who recently returned to training following a brief injury recovery period, cited “prior commitments and training plans” as reasons for his decision.
In a brief statement, Nadeem expressed gratitude to Neeraj Chopra for the invitation. “It’s always an honor to receive such recognition from fellow athletes. I appreciate Neeraj’s gesture and wish him all the best for the upcoming event,” he said.
The duo shares a friendly rivalry and mutual respect, with both athletes frequently praising each other on the international stage. Their head-to-head showdowns have drawn significant attention in recent years, especially during the Tokyo Olympics and World Athletics Championships.
Sources close to the Athletics Federation of Pakistan confirmed that security concerns and administrative hurdles may have also played a role in the decision.
Despite the decline, fans across both nations continue to express hope for more cross-border sportsmanship and potential future face-offs between the two giants of Asian javelin throwing.
