India

Denied Visa, SAI-MEA Help India’s U-20 Race Walker Reach Oman For World Championships

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: World Silver Medallist in World Athletics Race Walking Championships in the  U-20 category, Amit Khatri managed to reach Muscat, Oman in the nick of time for his event.

Amit was earlier unable to head to Oman after his travel request was denied by Omani authorities due to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. This is when Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stepped in and helped him.

“I got vaccinated just a few days before the competition and thus was not able to get permission to travel and participate in the world championship. Due to which I had lost all hope, and thought I would not be able to compete.” Amit said.

Officers in MEA reached out to the Ministry of Health of Oman and other authorities through Indian Embassy in Muscat and promptly facilitated his travel as he has now completed double vaccination. MEA also appointed a liaison officer at the Muscat Airport for support with Emigration.

“I am very thankful to the MEA, SAI, TOPS, and AFI for helping me out of this situation. Their timely intervention has helped me reach the competition in time and now I am more determined to give my best in the competition so I not only make the country but everyone who helped me out proud of my performance,” Amit went on to add.

Amit is set to compete in the 10km Race Walk event which scheduled to take place on the very first day of the championship. The championships are scheduled to  begin on March 4.

Amit, who is also SAI’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s (TOPS) athlete, had created history last year when he became the first Race Walker from India to win a medal at the U-20 World Championships.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Odisha GDP Suspends Jonk Police Station IIC For Dereliction Of Duty

Nuapada: Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Jonk police station in Odisha’s Nuapada district, Gurudev Karmi, has…

November 25, 2024

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024