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.”