NEW DELHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, the US has denied visa to five members of Indian Archery Team who have to go there to participate in the World Cup that begins on June 20 at Salt Lake City.
The Archery Association of India (AAI) has raised the issue before the World Archery Federation (WAF), requesting its intervention.
The five members include players Sanatomba Singh, Ishambi, Milind Anil, coach Prakash Ram and physio Sukhdev Mohanta.
“We have written to the WAF as well as the organisers. We are also following this up with the Government of India and hopeful that they will get their visas and would be able to participate,” said Anil Kamineni, secretary general, AAI.
Archery Association of India officials on Saturday were hopeful that the archery team members, who were denied the US visa, will be able to fly to that country by July 19 to participate in the World Cup.
Officials said visas were denied to the team citing lack of evidences proving that they will return. “They have said that there is no sufficient proof that the person will return to his or her country of origin,” said an AAI official.
AAI secretary general Anil Kamineni said, “This is also a part of procedure. We are following this up with more documents so that players can participate in the tournament.
We are hopeful that they will
get visas.”
This is not the first time that players have been refused visas by the US. In February this year, 15 players of a Tibetan women’s soccer team were refused US visas as guests of a Texas tournament.