Pakistan-based Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem remained restrained when asked about his relationship with Neeraj Chopra, days after the latter clarified that the two athletes 'were never really close friends'.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore ahead of the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships, Nadeem addressed the media with caution. “I don't want to make any comments about Neeraj because of the ongoing conflict with India,” he said. “I come from a village, and I will only say that my family and I will always stand with our army.”