Why Kosovo boxer barred? OCA asks sports minister
NEW DELHI: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad Al-fahad Al-sabah wrote to sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Thursday saying not giving visa to Kosovo boxer Donjeta Sadiku to participate in the Women’s World Championships could hurt India’s chances of hosting international events in future.
Drawing Rathore’s attention to the Spanish government’s decision to grant athletes from Kosovo the same rights as other nationalities during international events in Spain, Al-sabah referred to the Olympic charter and the OCA constitution that make it mandatory for host nations to provide visa to “every eligible athlete without any discrimination.”
Spain, like India, also does not recognise Kosovo, a disputed territory in South Eastern Europe. Kosovo athletes were not allowed to participate in the karate world championship in Madrid last week.
It immediately drew the ire of the International Olympic Committee. Kosovo participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics despite not having diplomatic ties with Brazil.
Al-sabah said the ban on Kosovo could jeopardize India’s chances of hosting an Asian Games or an Olympiad. The Indian Olympic Association plans to bid for the 2026 Youth Olympics.
Top sources said the sports ministry has already brought the Kosovo issue to the notice of the Ministry of External Affairs, that decides on all matters relating to international relationships. NEWDELHI:LACK of ideas and intent in the Delhi camp were exposed as Himachal Pradesh escaped with a draw to deny the hosts full points on the final day of the Elite Group B Ranji Trophy match at the Ferozeshah Kotla. Himachal, who resumed at 44/1 and were 331 behind, ended the day at 266/5 with Nikhil Gangta (66*) and former India all-rounder Rishi Dhawan (52*) adding unbeaten 82 runs for the sixth wicket and consuming close to 30 overs before stumps were drawn. While Delhi had declared at tea on the third day in the hope of getting over 100 overs to dismiss Himachal, the Ishant Sharma-led attack found the going tough. So much so that both Ishant, who took two wickets, and former captain Gautam Gambhir didn’t bother take the field after tea which was surprising as a wicket could have opened floodgates.