Srinagar: The dreams of known athlete of State, Tanveer Hussain to represent India in World SnowShoe Championship–USA were dashed when US consulate in New Delhi denied visa to the athlete.
Tanveer was scheduled to represent India in World SnowShoe championship at Saranac Lake, NY-USA on February 25 and 26 2017.
The visa interview for the participation was scheduled on January 31 in New Delhi. Despite showing all the necessary required documents including the invitation letters from World body, local Saranac Government invitation and letter from Indian Federation, consulate denied visa to the athlete.
“Today our Visa interview was held in New Delhi Embassy and during interview whatever we were asked we replied to that. We showed them all the necessary documents and there seemed to be no problems in that. The Visa Officer went inside to next room taking our documents and press clippings of my achievements along,” Tanveer said.
“After few minutes Visa Officer returned, handing documents back and said, “Sorry, due to our current policy we can’t issue you Visa”. It was shock and we were not able to believe it and then we at the same moment got hint that it is Trump effect and may be the new policy applies to all Muslims and not just seven Countries,” Tanveer said.
The championship is being hosted by Mayor’s office in Saranac Lake, NY-USA under auspices of World SnowShoe Federation. Athletes from around 17 Countries are expected to take part in the championship.
The talented athlete said that he had been working hard for the event since last one year and was expecting to compete in his second World championship.
“My dreams have been dashed and it is all because they have got the set policy that doesn’t allow certain individuals to visit USA. I had represented India last year in Italy World championship and planning to take part in USA World Championship,” he said.
“They did not ask for anything further. Last year Italian consulate asked for few documents that we lacked. After providing that we were given Visa. This year we had kept all necessary documents ready and did not miss anything. I being Kashmiri and a Muslim seem to be only reason that we were denied Visa. We were two members in Indian team, one official and one athlete,” he added.