US visas of 9 Indian wrestlers rejected ahead of U23 World Championships in Las Vegas

Indian wrestling has been dealt a major blow ahead of the U23 World Wrestling Championships, to be held in Las Vegas in the United States from October 12 to 18. The US visa applications of nine Indian wrestlers, who had applied to take part in the tournament, have been rejected by the US Embassy.

The wrestlers had applied for visas at the US Embassy in New Delhi and were called for an interview on October 7. After the interviews, the embassy refused the visas of nine wrestlers. No clear reason is said to have been given. The wrestlers' passports have also been returned to them.

Among those refused is star woman wrestler Neha Sangwan, the 2024 U17 world champion. Surprise and anger have been expressed in the sporting community that a player who has won a world-level gold medal for the country was denied a visa.

Only a few days remain before the tournament begins. The last-minute rejection has added to the Indian team's difficulties, and India's path in the event is being seen as harder as a result. All eyes are now on what steps the Sports Ministry and the Wrestling Federation of India take, by speaking to the US Embassy, to secure emergency visas.

As for the reason for the refusals, it is being said that the applicants were below 20 years of age and did not have regular employment. This is being cited as the main reason, though the real and official reason has not yet come out.

Following the incident, the Wrestling Federation of India has promptly approached the US Embassy in New Delhi. The federation has written an official letter to the embassy, politely requesting it to reconsider the decision. The letter also asks that the wrestlers whose visa interviews are scheduled for October 8 be given a positive response and their visas approved.