Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has announced the postponement of the inaugural NC Classic, citing the prevailing national security situation and prioritising the safety and well-being of all stakeholders. The decision was shared via his official Twitter handle on Friday.“In the light of the current situation the inaugural edition of the NC classic stands postponed until further notice. 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. 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 the armed forces who are at the forefront of our nation. Revised schedule for the NC Classic will be provided in due course. Jai Hind.” Chopra’s decision comes on the heels of a serious escalation along the western border, where Pakistan launched aerial attacks on Jammu and several military stations. The attempted strikes, carried out using drones and missiles, were successfully intercepted by India’s air defence systems, preventing significant damage.
The incursion led to widespread blackouts and blaring sirens across several areas in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, prompting the activation of emergency protocols and a call for residents to remain indoors and vigilant. These attacks are widely seen as an escalation post Operation Sindoor, a recent offensive by Indian armed forces that targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. This infrastructure is believed to have been responsible for the brutal Pahalgam attack in April, in which 26 tourists — 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali — lost their lives. By postponing the NC Classic, Chopra has underscored the importance of national solidarity during times of crisis. While sport holds immense power to inspire and unite, he affirmed that at this moment, “standing firm with the nation matters most.”
