Neeraj Chopra is hands-on, wears many hats as he takes on role of NC Classic host

Indian Express

2 days ago

Since landing in Bengaluru earlier this week, Neeraj Chopra has worn many hats. Of a champion javelin thrower, an event organiser and a gracious host. Being the face as well as the driving force behind the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, India's world champion has spared no effort for the successful conduct of the World Athletics 'Category A' event to be held at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday evening.
When the 11 competitors, including seven foreigners arrive in the Garden City, they will receive personalised welcome letters from Chopra and each of them will be received with a special banner. Between sponsor shoots, training sessions, Chopra is also vetting the final list of artistes performing on the big day, reviewing the video to be played on the giant screen at the stadium and ensuring the fan zone is up to scratch. On Wednesday, he did a recce of the gym at the stadium.
'Every single day, I am learning something new about organising a sporting event. I must say I have a new-found respect for people who put an event together. I am trying to give as much time as possible to all the different aspects of the NC Classic because this is my competition and not one that simply has my name attached with it. In between all this, I've had to give time to my training too. I am as excited about competing as I am about organising the NC Classic,' Neeraj said from Bengaluru on Wednesday.
He's also reached out to those who matter, like speaking to the Karnataka Chief Minister when the event was shifted from Panchkula to Bengaluru because of the broadcaster's need for better floodlight illuminance. He has been at multiple meetings with World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India officials and coordinated with JSW Sports, the firm that manages him and is also partnering in hosting the NC Classic.
'I'm spending time with every department at JSW Sports, understanding things, giving my inputs and suggestions and it's been a fantastic experience,' Neeraj added.
Postponement of the NC Classic, from May to July because of the conflict between India and Pakistan was a roadblock, but World Athletics quickly agreed to a fresh date. Those who have known and worked closely with Chopra, the two-time Olympic medallist, talk about him being hands-on.
'Every day he's going to the stadium and is monitoring stuff. He's also saying that he's never been to a city so many days before the event. Usually, he flies in, does a press conference, competes and flies out. He's having to do some running in Bengaluru other than just training. It's his event so he can't say it is my training time, so don't ask me anything. Everybody is surprised to see his new avatar,' Manisha Malhotra, the former tennis Olympian, who is part of Chopra's inner circle at JSW Sports, said.
ಬನ್ನಿ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು! 🎯
Sparks and spears will fly on Saturday. Don't miss out! 🔥
Tickets to the #NCClassic are on the link in our bio. 🔗#NeerajChopraClassic #javelin #athletes #GameOfThrows pic.twitter.com/ENuEJoi9Hw
— Neeraj Chopra Classic (@nc_classic) July 2, 2025
Eye for detail
Neeraj has been particular about the dinner menu for athletes and officials on the eve of the NC Classic, while the world-record holder Jan Železný, his coach, will also be felicitated prior to the competition. His family will be in Bengaluru to watch from the stands, and there's also a Haryana touch, with Dhanda Nyoliwala, the popular rapper from Hisar with 2 million followers on Instagram, one of the artists performing on Saturday.
Neeraj is also doing his bit to reach out to fans and taking questions from cricketers to generate publicity for the NC Classic. Earlier this week, in a video put out by the official broadcasters, Chopra said he wanted to exchange notes about javelin and fast bowling with Jasprit Bumrah, made comparisons between the power and technique of his throw and MS Dhoni's helicopter-shot six, and expressed the desire to have longevity and record-breaking ability like Sachin Tendulkar. When an enthusiast from Coimbatore posted on X asking for money from anyone so he could watch the NC Classic, Chopra said he would sponsor the trip, with VVIP tickets and accommodation at the 5-star hotel.
A lucky fan from the ticket-buyers will throw the ceremonial javelin before the athletes warm-up in what promises to be a carnival-like atmosphere. Wading into uncharted territory of hosting a single-discipline standalone competition of world standard in India has taken four years in the making for Neeraj.
The idea of hosting an event named after him struck Neeraj when he was training in the Swedish town of Uppsala, where world-record holder Mondo Duplantis organises the Mondo Classic for pole-vaulters.
'Usually, standalone javelin events only happen in very javelin-centric countries, like it happens in Finland, it happens in Lithuania where there is a long-established culture of javelin. Here, Neeraj is trying to build that. In the beginning, Neeraj was focused on medals and training. Now, he's matured, he has grown as a human being and wants to give back to his sport,' Manisha said.
During an NC Classic press briefing in April, Neeraj spoke about fulfilling a dream of competing in a major event in front of a home crowd. 'Yeh bahut hi lamba dream hai… (For a very long time, I have had this dream). When I used to go abroad to compete, I used to see how good the events were and how the people outside supported us. And I wondered if something like this could ever happen in India? I spoke to my coach Jan Železný. He also said that if the event was named after me it would be good,' Chopra had said.
Now that his dream is coming true, Chopra's fingers are crossed, hoping that on the big day everything falls into place like clockwork.