US denies visas to Indian wrestlers ahead of World Cup. Here’s why
The United States has denied visas to nine Indian wrestlers ahead of the U23 World Wrestling Championship in Las Vegas. The Indian Wrestling Federation said the athletes were allegedly rejected because they are under 20 years of age and do not have formal employment.
The wrestlers, who are scheduled to compete in the Under-23 World Cup from October 12 to 18, were verbally informed of the visa rejection when they arrived at the US Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday, October 7. After the interviews, their passports were returned.
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION REFUSED VISA
Among those whose visa applications have been rejected is Neha Sangwan, the 2024 U17 world champion. The WFI is now urging the US embassy to reconsider the cases and has also raised concerns about the wrestlers due to appear for visas on Thursday.
According to a letter sent by WFI to the US Embassy, 24 members of the Indian contingent, including 16 wrestlers, turned up for visa processing on Wednesday. Nine of the wrestlers were denied visas.
“Today, 24 participants arrived at the embassy for visa appointments, including 16 wrestlers. Unfortunately, 09 wrestlers were denied visas, allegedly due to their employment status and they are under 20 years of age,” WFI said in its letter.
Asian Games: Indian Wrestling Review
The U23 World Championship is for wrestlers between the ages of 18 and 23, and the WFI pointed out that several members of the Indian team are still in the early stages of their sporting careers.
WFI SEEKS CLARITY FROM US EMBASSY
The WFI said many of the young wrestlers are not formally employed as they are still pursuing their sports careers and asked the US Embassy to reconsider the rejected applications.
“Accordingly, many of these young athletes are understandably still pursuing their sporting careers and are not formally employed,” the federation said.
The nine wrestlers named in the WFI notice are Samarth Gajanan Mhakave, Dheeraj Kumar Malik, Sachin Kumar, Nikhil, Hardeep, Parveen, Ahilya Shatrughn Shinde, Neha Sharma and Neha Sangwan.
The WFI has also requested a review for wrestlers yet to attend visa meetings.
The federation said it was “deeply concerned” about the remaining team members expected to report to the embassy on Thursday, pointing out that most of them are also under 20 and currently unemployed.
“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.
DOUBTFUL PARTICIPATION OF INDIA
The visa rejection has left India’s participation in the Under-23 World Wrestling Championship under a cloud, with the WFI now hoping the US embassy will reconsider the applications and allow the affected wrestlers to travel to Las Vegas for the competition.
The U23 World Wrestling Championship is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from October 12-18.
– The end