Republic of Kosovo boxers face Indian visa issues
Kosovo is a disputed territory in southeastern Europe. Even though the boxers also have passports from Albania, there is a delay in the Indian government issuing visas to them.
The inordinate delay in issuance of visas to boxers from the Republic of Kosovo is turning out to be a nightmare for Indian sports administrators. The boxing world championship for women is to start in the Capital on November 15 and as of Friday, there was no certainty on visas for the ladies from Kosovo.
Kosovo is a disputed territory in southeastern Europe. Even though the boxers also have passports from Albania, there is a delay in the Indian government issuing visas to them.
Speaking to Mail Today, RK Sacheti, executive director, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) said: "A high-level meeting will be held in the Capital on Saturday and we are hopeful visas will be issued. It is being dealt with at the highest level in the ministry of external affairs. From our side and the sports ministry, necessary papers have been provided to the external affairs ministry."
In the usual practice during hosting international sports events in the country, the sports ministry writes to the external affairs ministry on which countries are being represented in India.
Sacheti said he was hopeful the issue relating to Kosovo boxers, who also hold passports from Albania, will hopefully be resolved.
Problems for athletes from Kosovo are at a world level. In other international championships abroad, too, they have faced visa problems as Kosovo is a partially-recognised state and disputed territory. Recently, Spain refused to give them visas for the world karate championship as they, like India, do not recognise Kosovo.
Their players were allowed to compete under the world karate federation banner.
Should these boxers not get Indians visas, it could have huge ramifications. Top officials told Mail Today in the event of Kosovo boxers not being allowed to India, it will severely hamper India's chances of hosting major multi-sporting international events in the future.
"Kosovo is allowed to participate by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) so they need to be accommodated. If India refuses them participation, it will hit our chances of hosting the Youth Olympic Games somewhere down the line," said an official.
The Indian Olympic Association and the IOC are also monitoring the current situation.
"If this problem keeps recurring and India refuse Kosovo entries for any sports event, it will not go down well with the IOC," added another official.