Flags of collaborating international locations on the nineteenth Asian Video games in Hangzhou. AP
A senior official of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) claimed that three Indian wushu athletes – Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega, and Mepung Lamgu – had been issued visas for the extravaganza in Hangzhou. The diplomatic kerfuffle has seen Sports Minister Anurag Thakur cancel his trip to Beijing after the athletes from Arunachal Pradesh had been denied accreditation, which additionally works as visa.
China labels Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet” of their official briefings.
Wei Jizhong, chairman of OCA’s ethics committee, who’s from China, claimed the “Indian athletes have been granted the visa to enter China.”
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“These Indian athletes have already got the visa to enter China. China didn’t refuse any visa. The problem is according to Chinese govt regulations, we have the right to give them different kind of visas. We have an arrival visa, we have a paper visa, and we have a passport as visa,” Jizhong mentioned.
“Unfortunately, these athletes didn’t accept this visa. I don’t think this is OCA problem because China has an agreement to let all the athletes who have certified eligibility to come to compete in China. This is clear. The visa has already been granted,” Jizhong added.
Requested concerning the trio at a daily international ministry briefing, spokeswoman Mao Ning mentioned: “China welcomes athletes from all international locations with authorized paperwork to come back to Hangzhou and participate within the Asian Video games.
“The Chinese government does not recognise the so-called Arunachal region that you mentioned. South Tibet is part of China.”
OCA performing president Randhir Singh mentioned they’re actively pursuing with the Chinese language authorities the difficulty of denial of accreditation.
“We had a meeting yesterday with the working group as well and this has been taken up in the working group meeting. They are taking it up with the government and we are also taking it up with the government,” veteran administrator Randhir mentioned in a press convention.
“It is under discussion with us as well. This is outside of what the government to government is happening. We are from the OCA side of it. We are doing it.”
“This has been brought to our notice yesterday, and we are taking up this matter with the Organising Committee and we are trying to find a solution. We will then inform you about it. We are on it now,” mentioned Vinod Tiwari, the OCA’s performing director basic.
Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, on Friday, mentioned, “A strong protest has been lodged in New Delhi and Beijing against China’s deliberate and selective obstruction of some of our sportsperson.”
“Further, as a mark of our protest against the Chinese action, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports of India, Anurag Thakur, has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Games. Government of India reserves the right to take suitable measures to safeguard our interests,” the MEA spokesperson mentioned.
Bagchi additional added, “India firmly reject differential treatment of Indian citizens on the basis of domicile or ethnicity.”
“China’s action violates both the spirit of the Asian Games and the rules governing their conduct, which explicitly prohibits discrimination against competitors from member states,” Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA), Authorities of India, mentioned.
In July, the Indian wushu team did not travel to Chengdu for the World University Games after the identical three athletes had been issued stapled, rather than pasted, visas — a sign that Beijing doesn’t recognise India’s territorial declare over Arunachal Pradesh.
The transfer triggered offended reactions in New Delhi, with the international ministry saying it was “unacceptable”.
“The problem is, according to Chinese government regulations, we have the right to give them different kinds of visa. We have arrival visa, we have a paper visa… these are government regulations,” mentioned Wei.
“But I make it very clear: the Chinese government gave them a visa, they can enter China. But unfortunately these athletes didn’t accept the visa.”
The remainder of the 10-member India wushu squad, together with teaching employees, reportedly left on Wednesday through Hong Kong. The occasion will get underway on 24 September.
(with inputs by AFP)