New Delhi– The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, India’s first-ever international javelin throw competition, has been postponed due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra announced on Thursday.
Originally scheduled for May 24 at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the event was set to be a landmark in Indian athletics. Sanctioned by World Athletics and organized in collaboration with JSW Sports and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the competition was expected to feature some of the world’s top javelin throwers, including Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra himself, Germany’s Thomas Röhler, and Grenada’s Anderson Peters.
“In light of the current situation, the inaugural edition of the NC Classic stands postponed until further notice,” Chopra said in a statement posted on Instagram. “This decision has been made after careful thought and consultation, with the well-being of athletes, stakeholders, and the broader community as the top priority.”
He added, “We believe in the unifying power of sport. But, in this critical moment, standing firm with the nation matters most. All our gratitude and thoughts at this point are only with our Armed Forces, who are at the forefront for our nation. A revised schedule for the NC Classic will be provided in due course. Jai Hind.”
The decision comes as hostilities between India and Pakistan escalate. On Thursday, Pakistan launched aerial attacks targeting Jammu and several Indian military installations along the western border. India’s air defense systems successfully intercepted drones and missiles, but the strikes triggered blackouts and air raid sirens across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Authorities advised residents to remain indoors as emergency protocols were activated.
The attacks are believed to be a retaliation for India’s recent counterterrorism operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, which struck terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following the April 22 massacre of 26 tourists—including 25 Indians and one Nepali—in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
In another consequence of the escalating conflict, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a temporary suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season for one week.
The postponement of the Neeraj Chopra Classic underscores the far-reaching impact of the conflict on not just security and diplomacy, but also on India’s sporting calendar. (Source: IANS)
