‘Under 20 and unemployed’: Indian wrestlers denied US visas ahead of U23 World Cup; WFI requests a review

Some Indian wrestlers, including 2024 World U17 champion Neha Sangwan, have been denied US visas, putting their participation in the October 12-18 U23 World Championships in Las Vegas in doubt.The wrestlers were verbally told that their visa applications were rejected because they were under 20 years old and unemployed. Their passports were returned when they appeared for a visa interview at the US embassy on Wednesday.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) asked the US Embassy in Delhi to reconsider the cases. It also asked the embassy to grant visas to wrestlers to attend Thursday’s meetings.Nine wrestlers were denied visas on Wednesday, according to a letter sent by the WFI to the US Embassy.“Today, 24 participants appeared at the embassy for visa appointments, including 16 wrestlers. Unfortunately, 09 wrestlers were denied visas, allegedly because of their employment status and they are below 20 years of age,” WFI said in its letter as quoted by news agency PTI.The federation pointed out that the upcoming championship is for the U23 age group and the participating wrestlers are between the ages of 18 and 23.“Accordingly, many of these young athletes are understandably still pursuing their sports careers and are not formally employed,” the WFI said, asking the embassy to reconsider the rejected applications.The wrestlers named in the WFI release include Samarth Gajanan Mhakave, Dheeraj Kumar Malik, Sachin Kumar, Nikhil, Hardeep, Parveen, Ahilya Shatrughn Shinde, Neha Sharma and Neha Sangwan.The federation also raised concerns about the wrestlers who are due to be granted visas on Thursday, saying most of them are also currently unemployed and under the age of 20.“We are deeply concerned about the remaining wrestlers due to appear for visas tomorrow as most of them are also currently unemployed and under the age of 20,” the WFI said.