Srinagar: After having being denied Visa earlier, Kashmiri Snowshoe athlete Tanveer Hussain of J&K Bank and his Manager Abid Khan who works as sports journalist in Greater Kashmir were on Friday granted Visa by the United States of American Embassy in New Delhi.
The two-member snowshoe contingent will now be travelling to Saranac Lake, New York USA on February 23 and will be taking part in the World Snowshoe Championship scheduled to be held on February 24 to 26. It is big surprise after the early denial that happened only 17 days back. However, due to the persistent efforts of the Saranac lake Mayor Clyde Rabideau who used his office to involve couple of US Senators.
The team members scheduled another interview on February 17 and presented their case in front of Visa officers. After getting all background checks on documents, invitation and getting assurance that both will be back in India after visiting USA , they were congratulated by the Consular officer for the Visa. They will now collect their visa from Embassy on February 22 and will take flight to New York on either February 22 or 23.
“It is great news and it would not have been possible without the efforts, support of Mayor Clyde Rabideau and Jim Tucker. They did their best to use the offices of Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand who contacted embassy in New Delhi,” President SSFI Mir Muddasir.
“It is miracle that a person who was denied visa only 15 days back where granted Visa. It has all happened due to the efforts of Saranac Lake people and the media support,” he said.
He said that Snowshoe is an activity that can be promoted both as recreational activity and competitive sport in Kashmir.
“SSFI is working Tourism department to promote this activity in a bigger way and in coming years we will be hosting an International event,” he added. (KSW Network)
