The Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 has been postponed due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions. The international javelin event, set to feature Olympic stars, was called off after military conflicts and aerial strikes.
The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 has been postponed due to the escalating tension between India and Pakistan. The event, which was scheduled to be held on May 24 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, was poised to become India’s first-ever international javelin throw competition.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra made the official announcement via Instagram, citing national security and public well-being as the reasons for the postponement. The tournament was being organized in collaboration with JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and sanctioned by World Athletics, marking a major milestone in India’s track and field landscape.
“In light of the current situation, the inaugural edition of the NC Classic stands postponed until further notice,” Chopra said. “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.”
Chopra also reaffirmed the belief in the unifying power of sport but emphasized national solidarity in moments of crisis. “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,” his statement concluded.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic was expected to attract top-tier global talent including Thomas Rohler, Anderson Peters, and several other Olympic medallists, promising a world-class competition on Indian soil. The postponement has come as a disappointment to fans and athletes alike, but is widely viewed as a necessary step in the current geopolitical climate.
The announcement comes just a day after Pakistan launched aerial attacks targeting military locations in Jammu and other western border regions. These attacks included drone and missile strikes and were met with a robust response from India’s air defence systems, which successfully neutralized the threats. Sirens and blackouts were reported in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, as emergency protocols were activated and civilians were advised to remain indoors.
Sources suggest these attacks may be retaliation for Operation Sindoor, a covert military operation by Indian forces aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure within Pakistani territory. The operation was reportedly a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 tourists—25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
The geopolitical tension has had a cascading effect on various events in India. In addition to the Neeraj Chopra Classic postponement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended IPL 2025 matches for one week, marking another major disruption in the sports calendar.
While a new date for the NC Classic is yet to be confirmed, organisers remain hopeful that the situation will stabilize soon, allowing for the safe conduct of the event. For now, the focus remains on national security and unity during a volatile period in the subcontinent’s history.
