Visa Delay Threatens India’s U17 Wrestling Team Ahead Of Athens Championship

With just four days left for departure, India’s 47-member wrestling contingent is facing uncertainty over participation in the U17 World Championship in Athens, scheduled to begin on July 28. The Greek embassy has yet to respond to visa appointment requests, prompting urgent appeals from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and global authorities.

Key Developments And Timeline

- WFI applied for visa appointments on July 10 but received no response even after 12 days.
- On July 16, WFI escalated the issue to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Ministry for intervention.
- The team is slated to depart on July 26, with tickets already booked and athletes prepared.

Athlete Readiness And Squad Composition

- The contingent includes 30 wrestlers selected through trials held in Delhi and Lucknow on July 7 and 8.
- Medal hopefuls include Asian Championship winners Rachna Parmar (43kg), Moni (57kg), Ashvini Vaishno (65kg), and Manisha (69kg).

Global Support And Embassy Response

- United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic has written to the Hellenic Olympic Committee urging expedited visa processing for Indian and Iranian teams.
- The Greek embassy cites a 15-day processing window, which may be extended due to current conditions.

Urgency And Implications

The delay risks denying young athletes critical international exposure. With global bodies now involved, stakeholders hope for swift resolution to ensure India’s representation in Athens.

Sources: News18, Sportstar, Times of India, Deccan Herald, The Telegraph.