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| August 10, 2005 | Wednesday | Rajab 4, 1426 |
Shuttlers unlikely to compete in US
ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: Pakistani shuttlers are likely to miss the forthcoming World badminton championship in California after the United States Embassy sought 45 days for security clearance before issuing visas to them. The championship is due to commence on Aug 15.
The director general of Pakistan Sports Board, Brig Arif Mehmud Siddiqui and secretary general of Pakistan Badminton Federation, Aamir Hayat Rokri, have deplored the practical non-issuance of visas to Pakistani players who also held confirmation letters from the organisers in the USA.
The Pakistani players who were scheduled to compete in the world badminton event were four-times national champion Wajid Ali, reigning national champion Umer Zeeshan, former champion Tahir Ishaq and Waqas as well as team officials Usman Afridi and Wasim Butt.
The World Badminton Federation (WBF) had included these Pakistani players in the doubles draw of the event after improvement in their international rankings recently.
“We are disappointed at not getting the visas for our players,” Aamir Hayat told reporters.
“Our players Wajid Ali and Umer Zeeshan were called to the embassy but were told that their security clearance will take 45 days to complete and when it happens they will be issued visas.”—APP
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