UK rejects Indian shooting team visa applications
September 01 2010 by Liam Clifford
UK Visa - Commonwealth Games
The Indian shooting team is struggling to prepare for the Commonwealth Games as a result of its failure to gain the UK visas they need to prepare.
The team and their coach was supposed to have left for the UK yesterday for a preparation trip but were told that all but two of them had had their UK visa applications rejected.
The latest development is a further setback for the team, already hampered by a shortage of rifles with which to practice.
The team were hoping that moving to the UK would provide them with the facilities they needed to practice for the new 1,000-yard competition.
A senior official from the sport said, "Since we did not have the rifles, it was crucial for the players to go to UK to get the expertise. In the 1000-yard event, it's crucial to have wind and sight control. But now that we don't have the UK visa, only a miracle can get us a medal."
He added that without the UK visas, the team is unlikely to be able to participate, despite the fact that the Games are being held in India this year. "We are now prepared for the worst,” he explained.
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