Visa 'complications' for Indian athletes ahead of Asian meet in South Korea
Days before the Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Gumi, South Korea, some of the Indian athletes are fretting over visa issues. It is understood that visas of a handful of athletes, who have been selected to participate at the Asian meet, have been denied or yet to be granted. The event starts from May 27 and ends on May 31.
The Athletics Federation of India has apparently taken this up with relevant authorities and is expecting the impasse to end as early as possible because athletes are expected to leave for Gumi in batches from Thursday night. In fact, if sources in the AFI are to be believed, this has created some consternation among the athletes as not too many days are left for the event to start. It is believed that there are quite a few athletes whose visas have been rejected too. If that is the case, proper intervention would be required. It has to be noted that situation is fluid and the visas might come any day.
Of late there have been issues with visas for multiple athletes. Recently, a few archers and support staff had to miss the US flight because of visa delay. It is not clear if there has been a delay in applying for a South Korean visa but AFI usually meticulously plans such big continental events. Even for the 2023 World Championships in Hungary, javelin thrower Kishore Jena's visa application was initially denied which led to him reaching the venue hours before the event.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
17 minutes ago
- India Today
Don't even drink Royal Challenge: DK Shivakumar denies rumours of buying RCB
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has denied rumours that he plans to buy the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team.'I'm not a mad man. I've been a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association since my younger days, that's all,' he said. 'I don't have time for this, though I did get offers to join cricket management. I don't even have time for my own educational institution, I resigned and left it to my family do I need RCB? I don't even drink Royal Challenge,' he said to news agency indicate that Diageo Plc, the British liquor giant that owns RCB through its Indian arm, United Spirits Ltd, is considering selling a part or full stake in the team. According to sources cited in the report, Diageo has begun early talks with advisers and is weighing options, including a full sale. The company is reportedly looking at a possible valuation of up to 2 billion dollars for the team. However, no final decision has been made, and the discussions are still Shivakumar's comments come just days after a stampede at an RCB felicitation event in Bengaluru left 11 people dead. He also said that Karnataka is now working on a crowd management policy. Earlier on Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court questioned the state government on whether any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) had been put in place to handle crowds of 50,000 or more at sporting events or similar large-scale IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
Hindustan Times
25 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Sourav Ganguly says Rishabh Pant let him down but gives India keeper a chance to prove himself: 'Didn't like what I saw'
Rishabh Pant is one of the very few experienced players travelling with the Indian squad for the five-Test series in England. In fact, Pant, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are the only four players from the squad of 18 to have played a Test series in England before. Hence, in the absence of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom have announced their retirements from Test cricket, expectations are high from India's dashing wicketkeeper batter. Especially given the fact that he struggled the last time India played Tests – in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In Australia, Pant played all five Tests, but his returns were poor, with 255 runs at an average of 28.33, starring just one half-century. Pant's efforts proved even more disappointing because it was against the same team in the same conditions four years ago, where he played a hand in India's most famous Test win away from home, beating Australia 2-1 with epic knocks in Sydney and Brisbane. Among the many disappointed with Pant was former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who pointed out what the India keeper did wrong Down Under. However, the England tour marks a fresh start, and Ganguly expects Pant to make amends. "He's a very good player, but he has to continue playing the way he played a few years ago. I saw him in Australia, and I didn't like what I saw. Too many shots. He kept swinging. The ball decked around at certain venues. He has got the ability, there is no doubt about that, but it's about the application. I want to see some more fight from him. He's got a very good defence. So, he has to defend and now swing at every ball," Ganguly told RevSportz. Also Read: Sourav Ganguly fires shots at Agarkar, BCCI for dropping Shreyas Iyer from India squad, says 'not a player to be left out' It was in England seven years ago that Pant made a sparkling Test debut for India, launching just the second ball he faced into the stands for a six. Two matches later, at the Oval, Pant peeled off his maiden Test century, and although it couldn't help India avoid a 1-4 drubbing, Rishabh Pant had arrived. Even in the four-match series in 2021/22, Pant couldn't do much, scoring just one fifty from eight innings. A lot of hopes will be pinned on Pant. This is believed to be one of the weakest Indian teams touring England, which automatically trims their chances of winning. Then again, the hosts are undergoing a transition of their own. The bowling attack, in particular, is filled with youngsters, barring the returning Chris Woakes. Do India have a realistic chance of pulling off what no Indian team has done since 2007? Ganguly, who was part of that squad 18 years ago, certainly believes so, but for that, a couple of things need to fall into place. "Yes, sure. We just need two things, batting well and [Jasprit] Bumrah remaining fit. We won in Australia, in Melbourne (2020-21), with a young batting line-up, having no [Virat] Kohli, no Rohit Sharma. So, I do not see why we cannot win," said the former BCCI chief.
NDTV
25 minutes ago
- NDTV
"No System, No Clue": India's Football Body Blasted After Hong Kong Humiliation
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed Bhaichung Bhutia criticised the AIFF after India's loss to Hong Kong in the qualifiers. Bhutia questioned the sudden announcement of a $50,000 bonus for winning the match. He highlighted that players often lack basic daily allowances and central contracts. After India's 0-1 loss to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia strongly criticised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for reportedly offering players a USD 50,000 bonus had they won the game. Following a goalless draw against Bangladesh in their opening match, India desperately needed a win to stay in contention. However, their hopes were dashed by a stoppage-time penalty, leading to another disappointing result. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Bhutia called for AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey to step down 'to save Indian football' and questioned the logic behind such ad-hoc financial incentives. "We've seen reports that players haven't even received their daily allowance of RS 2,500. Indian footballers don't have central contracts like cricketers. They don't earn in lakhs or crores. Their compensation largely comes through daily allowances," Bhutia said. "Then suddenly, out of nowhere, there's a USD 50,000 prize announcement if they had won the game. Where did this come from? If they had won, would the same bonus be offered for the next four games? There's clearly no system, no strategy. Just random decisions with no clarity," he said. In July 2023, India were ranked 99th in the FIFA rankings and had a promising year—winning the Intercontinental Cup, Tri-Nation Tournament, and SAFF Championship. However, Bhutia remarked that it's been 'one disaster after another' ever since. Following former coach Igor Stimac's turbulent exit and India's elimination from the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the team went winless throughout 2024. Their only victory came recently when veteran striker Sunil Chhetri came out of retirement to lead the side to a 3-0 win over the Maldives—India's first win in 489 days. As nations like Uzbekistan secure their maiden World Cup qualification, India now faces the grim prospect of missing out on the 2027 Asian Cup—a tournament they've consistently qualified for in recent years. Reflecting on the broader situation, Bhutia didn't mince words, 'It's been a terrible two and a half to three years under Kalyan Chaubey's leadership. On-field performances have been poor, and off-field management has been chaotic, riddled with controversies. It's time for him to step down—for the sake of Indian football.'
