Sports ministry approaches MEA to get UK visa for Sania Mirza’s son

The Sports Ministry has sought intervention of the External Affairs Ministry to get a visa for tennis star Sania Mirza’s two-year-old son to journey together with her when she goes to England for a number of tournaments forward of the Tokyo Olympics.
Sania is scheduled to compete within the Nottingham Open (from June 6), Birmingham Open (from June 14), the Eastbourne Open (from June 20) and the Wimbledon (from June 28).
Sania has been granted a visa however her son and his caretaker haven’t obtained UK visas owing to present journey restrictions on Indians on account of a surge in coronavirus circumstances in India.
“Sania, who is a part of the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), approached the Ministry requesting for help with the visa of her son and his caretaker. Sania stated that she cannot leave a two-year-old child behind as she travels for a month,” the ministry mentioned in a launch.
“The request was immediately taken up by the Sports Ministry and a letter has already been sent to MEA requesting them to take up the matter in the UK through the Indian Embassy in London.”
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned, “I have approved the request and Sports Ministry officials have initiated the process with the MEA. We are hopeful that the UK Government will see merit in this case and allow the child to travel with Sania.”