Friends Without Borders

India and Pakistan are fierce rivals in every sphere, including sports and there are no two ways about it. But Subedar Major Neeraj Chopra, India’s star athlete, has proved that rivalry be confined to the ground and need not be carried outside it, even if it is a Pakistani against whom he competed. Neeraj’s silver medal against Arshad Nadeem’s gold in the javelin throw at the ongoing Paris Olympics is making news for more reasons than just the win itself.

Despite competing with each other about 10 times, there is a strong sense of camaraderie between the two. “Each time we meet, we engage in conversations about topics commonly discussed among friends. And we wish each other that we do well for our respective countries,” said the Pakistani javelin ace recently.
That they have overcome obstacles and formed an incredible friendship comes as a pleasant surprise for all Indians and Pakistanis as well.

“When two athletes are on the ground, they represent their countries well. In sports, one side wins and the other loses. But otherwise, be it Indians or Pakistanis, off field there is a strong bonding,” says wrestler Sangram Singh, the first Indian to enter a world mixed martial arts competition. He recalls his association with a Pakistani wrestler. “This guy, Mohammed, brought sweets and other edibles prepared by his mother for me. On the field, we were competitors and rivals. But off the field, we are good friends,” says Sangram, who is also close to the Phogat family.

He says sports and athletes unite hearts and countries, and that has been the case for decades. “Leave aside the politics between the two countries. Many Indians and Pakistanis have strong bonding, like brothers,” he says.

Sangram says he recently met Arshad Nadeem on a flight. “He was all praise for Neeraj. But he also told me about his preparations and how he has set his target on winning gold in the Paris Olympics,” says the wrestler, adding that even the Indian coaches instruct players to give their best shot when playing against Pakistan and not to lose against them and vice versa.

Arshad’s final effort, a 91-meter throw that punched the turf, moved the two great rivals into each other’s arms. It became clear that there was more than simply professional respect; it was a palpable sense of friendship.

“My message to Neeraj is that our friendship continues to be the way it has been all these years and people remember us with wonderful words,” said Arshad. When Nadeem made a social media request for funding to purchase a decent javelin a few months ago, Neeraj was one among those who rushed forward to offer his assistance.

Friends and champions
The rivalry and camaraderie of Neeraj and Arshad is well documented. The best example occurred shortly after the Tokyo Olympics final in 2020, when Pakistani athlete found practising with Neeraj’s spear. Neeraj defended Arshad after the media dubbed his actions ‘tampering’ with the Indian’s gold medal-winning spear.
“There was nothing wrong with Arshad Nadeem using my javelin for preparation. It is within the rules, and please do not use my name to promote a dirty agenda,” Neeraj Chopra stated. Their bond dates back several years; they first met in the 2016 Junior World Athletics.In sports, one of the biggest myths is that rivals have to detest one another, or at least pick up on it.  Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, also known as the Indo-Pak Express, were one of the most feared combinations in professional tennis, reaching the doubles final of the US Open in 2010. Their partnership’s success was due not just to their shared understanding on the court, but also to their friendship off it.