JAVELIN KING: Neeraj Chopra turns athlete-cum-promoter for javelin event in Bengaluru

So, what’s the big deal about javelin legend Neeraj Chopra turning promoter. On May 25, the Sree Kanteerva Stadium in Bengaluru will host NC Classic – Neeraj Chopra Classic – a one-day javelin meet. For the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist and Paris 2024 silver Olympics medallist, this is a new domain, a new assignment. The big question is, do Indian fans wants to see Neeraj compete or turn promoter in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India and World Athletics.

Indeed, on Monday, for the media to interact with Neeraj in an online platform was good. At a time when the Indian Premier League has filled up every inch of space in sports pages in newspapers and social media laps up IPL, for Neeraj to break the monotony was good. Yet, rather than talk more expansively on how Neeraj is preparing for his assault on one more big medal at the World Championship in Tokyo this September, to hear Neeraj talk as an entrepreneur was different. The enthusiasm in his voice was palpable, as he wants to ensure he can bring the best javelin stars to India.

Is that, really, a role Neeraj should step into is the moot point. For sure, Neeraj has contacts with fellow javelin stars, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, included. However, what is to be debated, should Neeraj be spending time in this. Everyone knows which main corporate Neeraj is involved with in this venture. They will still need more sponsors, so from a marketing angle it will be interesting. The Karnataka Government is also on board.

Initially, the one-day event was to be held in Panchkula, Haryana. Neeraj hails from Haryana and would have loved to see this event in his own state. There are glitches, as Neeraj admitted, and the event has been shifted out. One reason mentioned is the 600 Lux light intensity which the Bengaluru venue will offer. It is home to Bengaluru’s ISL team as well. “Preparations were on in full swing to host the event in Panchkula and I also was keen since it is my home turf. However, due to technical reasons, it had to be shifted,” said Neeraj at the virtual presser.

The star cast for the javelin event includes Anderson Peters, Julius Yego, Thomas Rohler and Curtis Thompson. A big question mark hangs over Arshad Nadeem, as the Pakistani will face visa wrangles. Just to remind readers, India and Pakistan no longer play bilaterals in cricket. Even when Rohit Sharma’s team had to play in the Champions Trophy, it was at a neutral venue, Dubai. In a way, Arshad Nadeem coming or not coming will make news. Neeraj and Arshad are friends, but that is when they compete abroad. Ground situation in India is very different now.

A few thoughts, Neeraj could have spoken more on how it is to train under legend Jan Zelezny. It is a big deal as Neeraj grew up watching the videos of his coach. If he had shared with the media what all the new coach is teaching, it would have been good. For the record, at a meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, recently, Neeraj threw the javelin 84.52 metres. He will look to improve further as India sees in him one more good Olympics in LA 2028 and the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan,  next year.

For those who are raving about Neeraj Chopra bringing top class stars to India, do not forget what Suresh Kalmadi had done when New Delhi hosted Permit Meets at the Nehru Stadium. This writer recalls having watched legends like Carl Lewis and Sergei Bubka showcase their stuff in the Capital many years ago. Of course, at that time, India had not athletics champion of Neeraj’s stature.

Then again, India tennis players Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have themselves played roles of promoters through Paes n Sport and Globosport many years ago. If Paes n Sport hosted Challenger tennis events, which benefitted Indians, Bhupathi managed to bring in a legend like Martina Navratilova to Kolkata. And, of course, a famous tennis league (ITPL) where the who is who of global tennis did show up in New Delhi. The star cast was mind boggling.

So, Neeraj is not a path-breaker really. If Neeraj has his own firm or company to do all this for him, it’s fine. But to do it individually when he is training and preparing for mega events seems improper.

One would have also liked to see more Indians in fray in the javelin event on May 25. In case athletics buffs have forgotten, DP Manu, who was once touted as a good and rising javelin star will not be in fray. He has been slapped with a four-year ban after testing positive for Methyltestoserone, a prohibited substance, during the Indian Grand Prix in 2024.The ban news, officially, came out only on March 3, 2025. He will be unable to compete till 2028. Manu was a contender even for the Paris Olympics, but his name was removed. It became clear last year itself there was some dirt.

For those who have not seen Neeraj marrying childhood friend Himani Mor in January 2025, he will be competing in India for the first time. It is also the first time Neeraj is competing in India after winning silver in Paris 2024.