Lahore, Aug 17: They are the two greatest present day sports icons of rival nations India and Pakistan. They have not only grabbed the two top medals in successive Olympics in Tokyo and Paris, but they have almost swapped their positions in the Olympics podium as well.
Despite belonging to rival nations and both of them competing hard to dominate the javelin event in the world of sports, Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem continue to be good friends as well.
Neeraj won Gold in Tokyo Olympics and Nadeem got the Silver. In Paris Games 2024, which concluded recently, Nadeem created a world record in men's javelin throw with a 92.97 metre effort and clinched the Gold medal. Neeraj got Silver with a 89.45 metre throw.
But despite being fierce competitors on field, both of them always mentioned about their friendship, mutual respect and affections for each other.
Even their mothers have adored each other's sons. After Neeraj had to be satisfied with a Silver in Paris Games 2024, his mother Saroj Devi lauded Nadeem and stated he (Nadeem) too is like her son and putting on a lot of hard work to excel at international level. She further stated that she felt happy for Nadeem.
Nadeem has gone on records saying that it is for him and Neeraj that javelin is gaining popularity as a sports in India and Pakistan.
The latest chapter in their bonding is Nadeem's mother Raziah Parveen during an interaction with a section of press, has extended her warm welcome to her son's greatest rival on field (Neeraj) to their home in Pakistan.
But that is not all. Nadeem's mother previously expressed her admiration for Neeraj, describing him as her son's friend and brother. She even revealed that she prayed for Neeraj's success during the javelin throw final in Olympics.
Considering the tension between the two nations it is unlikely that Neeraj will be able to visit Nadeem's place in Pakistan. But the warmth, love, mutual respect, adulation and bonding between the two world champion sports persons and their mothers as well, is simply unbelievable.
Even though they belong to arch rival neighbouring nations, both Neeraj and Nadeem and their mothers have reflected their magnanimity and broad outlook.
The two athletes Neeraj and Nadeem have perhaps inherited the lessons of love, affection and mutual respect from their mothers and have proved to the world how different they are from others.
That is why perhaps they are world champions and good human beings as well.
