New Twist: China Granted Visa But Indian Athletes Didn’t Accept, Says Olympic Asia Body

New Delhi: Hours after three Indian wushu players were denied entry to China for the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Ethics Committee chairman Wei Jizhong claimed that the trio had been granted visas by China.

Chinese authorities went on to claim that the Indian athletes didn’t accept the visas after they were issued the travel documents.

“These Indian athletes have already got the visa to enter China. China didn’t refuse any visas. Unfortunately, these athletes didn’t accept this visa. I don’t think this is an OCA problem because China has an agreement to let all the athletes who have certified eligibility to come and compete in China. This is clear. The visa has already been granted,” the OCA Chairman stated.

A response from the Indian government is awaited.

The rest of the Indian wushu team — seven players and staff — flew to Hong Kong from where they took a flight to Hangzhou. But the three women squad members from Arunachal Pradesh – Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu – couldn’t board the flight from Delhi as they didn’t get necessary clearance.

New Delhi registered a strong protest with Beijing against “deliberate and selective obstruction of some of our sportspersons” from the Asian Games.

Union Sports minister Anurag Thakur even cancelled his visit to China as a mark of protest.

Arunachal Pradesh has often been claimed by Chinese authorities.

Two months ago, China had issued stapled visas, instead of stamped ones, to three female wushu players for the World University Games in Chengdu — a move which was strongly condemned by India.