'Below 20 and unemployed': Indian wrestlers denied US visas; WFI seeks review
Several Indian wrestlers have been denied US visas for the U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas. The US Embassy cited the athletes' unemployment and young age as reasons for the refusal, prompting the Wrestling Federation of India to seek a review.
Why it matters
Visa barriers for young athletes threaten international sporting participation and highlight the challenges of navigating immigration policies for non-professional sports delegations.
Several Indian wrestlers, including 2024 U17 World Champion Neha Sangwan, have been refused US visas, putting their participation in the U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas from October 12 to 18 in doubt.The wrestlers were verbally told that their visa applications had been refused because they were below 20 years of age and unemployed. Their passports were returned when they appeared for their visa interviews at the US Embassy on Wednesday.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has urged the US Embassy in New Delhi to reconsider the cases. It has also requested the Embassy to grant visas to the wrestlers who are scheduled to appear for their appointments on Thursday.According to a letter sent by the WFI to the US Embassy, nine wrestlers were refused visas on Wednesday."Today, 24 participants appeared at the Embassy for their visa appointments, out of which 16 were wrestlers.
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