Three female wushu players, Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega, and Mepung Lamgu, hailing from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, were scheduled to participate in the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. They had received approval from the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee to compete in the event. However, despite their approval, they faced a significant hurdle as they were unable to download their accreditation cards, which also function as visas for entry into China.
(Image Source: WION)
As a result of this issue, the three athletes were forced to stay back in India while the rest of the Indian Wushu squad departed for the Asian Games. The denial of accreditation to these athletes raised concerns and led to diplomatic and sporting tensions between India and China.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) took an active role in addressing this matter, with its acting president, Randhir Singh, stating that they were pursuing the issue with the Chinese authorities. The OCA engaged in discussions with the Indian government, emphasizing that they were taking steps to resolve the situation from their end.
However, there were differing accounts of the issue. While some Chinese officials claimed that the Indian athletes had been granted visas, others stated that the problem arose from the type of visa offered. According to Chinese government regulations, different types of visas are available, including arrival visas, paper visas, and passport visas. It was suggested that the Indian athletes did not accept the type of visa offered to them.
India strongly protested China's actions, asserting that they violated the spirit of the Asian Games and the rules governing fair competition among member states. The Indian government reserved the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard its interests. In response to China's actions, India's Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur cancelled his scheduled visit to the Asian Games in a mark of protest.
This incident was not the first time that Arunachal Pradesh athletes encountered difficulties related to their participation in international sporting events. Previously, in July, India had cancelled its wushu team's trip to Chengdu for the World University Games when China issued stapled visas to the players, a move that triggered strong reactions from the Indian government.
The situation surrounding Arunachal Pradesh remains sensitive, as China claims the region as its own territory while India asserts that it is an integral part of its nation. These tensions occasionally spill over into the sporting arena, raising complex issues related to politics, territorial disputes, and international sporting events.
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