• Neeraj Chopra's eponymous javelin competition will take place on May 24 in Bengaluru.
• The event will feature renowned throwers, enhancing the profile of athletics in India.
• Chopra aims to eventually host a Diamond League event in India, citing growing local interest.

Neeraj Chopra is set to fulfill a significant aspiration by hosting an eponymous javelin competition in Bengaluru on May 24, known as the Neeraj Chopra Classic. This World Athletics Gold category event will feature prominent athletes such as former world champions Anderson Peters and Julius Yego, alongside 2016 Olympic winner Thomas Roehler and American Curtis Thompson, aiming to showcase top-level talent to Indian audiences, according to Channel News Asia.

Despite his excitement about the event, Chopra noted that he could not confirm the participation of his competitive peer, Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan. “He is consulting his coach but has not confirmed his participation yet," Chopra stated in a virtual press conference. The organizational aspects related to both athletes and venue permits are still under discussion, as bilateral sports relations between India and Pakistan continue, despite political tensions, according to Dawn.

Chopra, who made history as the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal and raise the profile of athletics in India beyond cricket, expressed his dreams of hosting world-class events. "It’s always been a dream of mine to see India host a world-class athletic event," he shared, reflecting the significance of having an event named after him akin to the ones held for athletes like pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, according to Reuters.

Chopra also announced plans for the competition to become an annual event and hopes to include more athletic disciplines in future iterations. He believes that this initiative will provide local athletes the opportunity to compete against some of the best in the world, significantly benefitting domestic talent and promoting athletics in India. “Our next effort should to bring a Diamond League event to India. It is not impossible,” Chopra asserted, highlighting the existing infrastructure and interest from World Athletics in the growing popularity of such events in India, according to Channel News Asia.