Sports (Commonwealth Union) _ Neeraj Chopra will be stepping out onto the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, July 5, not just as India’s top performer in the Javelin throw, but also as the architect behind India’s first-ever World Athletics Continental Tours Gold event, the Neeraj Chopra Classic.
The 27-year-old sportsman has not only lent his name to the tournament, but has also been actively involved in all aspects of the organisation, including logistics and marketing, athlete hospitality and government organisation, with the athlete stating, “This is my competition and not just one with my name on it.”
The tournament was initially scheduled to be held at Panchkula’s Tau Devi Lal Stadium on May 24, before the event was relocated to Bengaluru due to issues with the venue’s floodlight, and was further rescheduled due to political tensions between India and Pakistan. However, the inconveniences had not deterred Chopra, who had reportedly communicated personally with the Karnataka Chief Minister to accommodate the urgent changes.
With the NC Classic now just a breath away, Neeraj Chopra has been embracing his double act as a competitor as well as an organiser, and has devoted time towards inspecting the facilities, approving materials, supervising video content, curating dinner menus for officials and athletes, and ensuring that all those who attend and participate will have a first-rate experience.
Manisha Malhotra from JSW Sports commented that Chopra has been much more hands-on than during the previous years, where “he just flies in, competes, and flies out”. JSW Sports, alongside the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics, co-organises the event.
Bengaluru, where Chopra received his training in 2016 and 2017, holds significant sentimental value for the athlete. Recalling the times he spent training at SAI and exploring the local malls, he stated that it was a dream to be competing in the city and that he was excited at the prospect of competing in an international meet.
His hopes are high, Chopra aspires to have the events expand beyond the javelin throw, particularly in track and field among the youths in India. He mentioned that local athletes have been invited to the stands and encouraged parents to bring along their children to experience the high-energy atmosphere of the crowd.
The NC Classics is also expected to feature 12 renowned javelin throwers, including 7 international athletes who have been welcomed with personalized banners and letters approved by Chopra himself.
Neeraj Chopra also spoke about the future of the tournament, revealing plans to expand the event to accommodate a wider variety of disciplines, allowing Indian athletes the opportunity to compete on an international level on their home soil.
Chopra’s dedication to the development of sports in India is evident in his own personal involvement in the tournament’s organization, with the javelinist not allowing his intense training schedule to interfere with his involvement in planning, promotional shoots, and administrative oversight.
The hosting of the NC Classic is a significant moment for Indian sports, functioning as a model for athlete-led development and a chance to gauge India’s ability to host international meets, boosting India’s position in world athletics.
