U-23 World Championship: 21 Indian wrestlers denied visa by Spain embassy, will miss match

21 Indian wrestlers are set to overlook out on the continuing Under-23 World Championships in Pontevedra after being denied visas by Spain’s embassy. The rejection got here on the suspicion that the wrestlers wouldn’t go away the territory earlier than the expiry of their visas.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 17, 2022 23:35 IST

Spain embassy denies visas to 21 Indian wrestlers forward of U-23 World championships (Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: 21 Indian wrestlers are set to overlook out on the continuing Under-23 World Championships in Pontevedra after being denied visas by Spain’s embassy. The rejection got here on the suspicion that the wrestlers wouldn’t go away the territory earlier than the expiry of their visas.

The Wrestling Federation of India had picked a 30-member squad for the Under-23 Championship however solely 9 had been granted visas. Antim Panghal, who’s India’s first-ever under-20 girl world champion, was amongst those that had been denied entry. Out of the 9 coaches that utilized for the visa, solely six had been granted entry.

WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar was livid with the choice and stated their visas had been denied on frivolous grounds.

“This is something we have never faced before. Despite presenting the Indian government’s clearance and an invitation from the world governing body UWW, our wrestlers have been denied visas on the most frivolous ground,” stated Tomar.

The assistant secretary stated he was confused as to why the officers would assume the wrestlers and coaches would not come again to India.

“We got the rejection letters this evening (Monday) after we made a request to release the passports as soon as possible. This is really bizarre. I really don’t know how the officer came to the conclusion that wrestlers and coaches won’t come back to India,” Tomar added.

Tomar additionally insisted that the Indian wrestlers had been denied a possibility to shine on the worldwide stage by the Spanish embassy.

“Our wrestlers are strong medal contenders, they have denied them the opportunity to shine on the big stage,” stated Tomar.

The chief coach of the Greco-Roman squad and Dronacharya awardee, Mahabir Prasad known as for Spain’s ban, recounting when United World Wrestling requested for India to permit Pakistani wrestlers for the Asian Championship in 2019.

“Spain should be fined and banned. It has already created a huge issue at the Championship. It’s a matter of shame for Spain as a country. Our wrestlers lost just an opportunity but Spain has lost face. UWW had said it would ban India if Pakistan were to deny entry for Asian championship in New Delhi. Now that was at Asian level and now this is at the world level. We will see what UWW does now,” stated Prasad.

The Under-23 Wrestling World Championship kicked-off right now and can proceed until October 23.