In an unfortunate occurrence, a small number of athletes from India’s athletics contingent are still awaiting visas for Japan. This has raised the prospect that they could miss part or all of a short pre-Games training camp. In addition to this, one of the coaches is also hit with the issue.
Around four to five members of the roughly 74-strong athletics team have not yet received clearance, even as the bulk of the squad has already arrived near Tokyo for acclimatisation ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Athletics events are scheduled to begin on 23 September.
4-5 Indian athletes face Japan visa delays ahead of Asian Games; coach also hit with issue
Officials linked the hold-up to processing requirements from visa outsourcing firm VFS, which has insisted that applications be submitted in the places where the athletes’ passports were originally issued. Meanwhile, the Athletics Federation of India is hopeful the matter will be resolved quickly and may seek government assistance. A source, as per India Today, said:
"We are hoping that it will be sorted soon.”
The concerning part is that because of the delay, the affected athletes could be forced to shorten their stay at the University of Tsukuba camp or travel straight to Nagoya to join the rest of the team, which has already reached the venue.
Separate reports have also highlighted delays affecting several late-selected athletes, including competitors from Karnataka, who remained in New Delhi awaiting clearance. The Asian Games are set to begin on September 19, and it's only a few days away.
List of players hit with visa issue including coach
According to a report by The Indian Express, the list of athletes affected by the visa delay includes high jumper Supriya B, pole vaulter Sindhushree G, hammer thrower Praveen Kumar, 200m sprinter Harita Bhadra, quarter-miler Kiran Pahal, heptathlete Anamika KA, and triple jumper Asha Ilango. A track and field coach also faces the issue as of now. Additionally, a foreign coach is hit by it from another discipline.
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