Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia's return to wrestling tournament in Romania in jeopardy due to visa issue

Visa Dilemma Casts Doubt on Bajrang Punia's Tournament Participation

Bajrang Punia, the accomplished Olympic medalist in wrestling, is facing uncertainty in his plan to participate in an international wrestling tournament scheduled in  Romania from August 18 to 20. Despite his strong desire to compete and the endorsement from the ad-hoc committee, complications in obtaining the required visa are threatening to disrupt his return to the international wrestling arena.

Bajrang Punia, known for his exceptional achievements in the Olympics, had expressed his intention to compete in a wrestling tournament in Romania. Unfortunately, challenges in obtaining the necessary visa have arisen, putting his participation in jeopardy. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has confirmed that as of late Wednesday night, the visa had not been secured. This visa setback has created uncertainty surrounding Bajrang's travel arrangements, ultimately leading him to confirm that he won't be participating in the tournament.

Crucial Tournament's Commencement Nears Amid Visa Hurdle

The tournament in question, scheduled from August 18 to 20 in Romania, holds significance for Bajrang Punia's comeback to international wrestling. The ad-hoc committee, overseeing the sport in India, had granted him approval to participate. However, the process was forwarded to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), particularly the Target Olympic Podium Scheme division.

Given that the competition's 65kg weight category is set to commence on Friday, Bajrang, at 29 years old, would need to reach the venue by Thursday evening. Unfortunately, the SAI confirmed the visa's unavailability until late Wednesday night, leaving his travel plans in uncertainty. In response to inquiries via text messages, Bajrang confirmed that he won't be making the trip to Romania, further adding to the challenges faced by this accomplished wrestler.

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Anticipated Return to International Stage Amidst Lingering Visa Setback

Bajrang Punia's potential participation in the Romania wrestling tournament would have marked his return to the international stage since clinching a bronze medal at the World Championships in September of the previous year. However, this return has been overshadowed by his involvement in protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the sidelined president of the Wrestling Federation of India. Alongside other accomplished wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, Bajrang raised his voice against alleged sexual harassment by Singh. While his eagerness to compete is evident, visa-related challenges and personal commitments have prompted Bajrang's decision to forgo the tournament.

SAI's Endorsement and Visa Woes

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) had earlier given the green light to Bajrang Punia's proposal for participation in the Romania wrestling tournament through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Accompanied by his coach Sujeet Maan, Bajrang's participation was sanctioned by TOPS. Additionally, the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) was poised to support his endeavor by covering expenses for his physiotherapist, strength and conditioning expert, and sparring partner Jitender. Despite this endorsement, the wrestler's visa remained pending, raising concerns about the feasibility of his trip with less than 24 hours left until the tournament's commencement.

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