Ministry of External affairs announced that Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is cancelling his visit to the Asian Games in Hangzhou as a mark of protest
Our Bureau
Mumbai
Three Indian Wushu players Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu have been denied entry to China to compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games. The Wushu event in the Asian Game will begin on Sunday. The trio were approved to take part by the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 Organising Committee.
Two of the athletes were unable to download their accreditation cards – which act as visas to enter China. The third athlete from Arunachal who got her accreditation card was informed that she would not be permitted to travel beyond Hong Kong.
With the trio needing to be in Hangzhou by September 24 the delay in Visa has resulted in them being forced out of the Asian Games. The rest of the Wushu squad has left for China.
The three Arunachal athletes were to take part in individual events of the martial arts sport.
Two of the Wushu players hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu who were approved to take part by the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 Organising Committee were unable to download their accreditation cards – which act as visas to enter China. The third athlete Nyeman Wangsu, who managed to download her accreditation, was informed that she would not be allowed to travel beyond Hong Kong.
Following this, the Ministry of External affairs announced that Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is cancelling his visit to the games as a mark of protest. “As a mark of our protest against the Chinese action, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports of India has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Games. Government of India reserves the right to take suitable measures to safeguard our interest,” the MEA spokesperson said.
The MEA spokesperson added that India rejects this treatment of its players by Chinese Authorities. “Government of India has learnt that the Chinese authorities have, in a targeted and pre-meditated manner, discriminated against some of the Indian sportspersons from the state of Arunachal Pradesh by denying them accreditation and entry to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China” he said.
But after Sports Minister Anurag Thakur cancelled his visit to China for the Asian Games, the Chinese government adopted a belligerent stand. Speaking on the denial of regular visas to athletes from Arunachal, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning claimed that China did not recognise Arunachal.
“You mentioned this Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh. The south Tibetan region is part of China’s territory” she said.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that China was open for all athletes.
“As the host country, China welcomes athletes from all countries to come to Hangzhou with legal documents to participate in the Asian Games” she said.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju who is also an MP from Arunachal criticised the Chinese decision to deny the athletes regular visas. “This violates both the spirit of Sports & also the Rules governing the conduct of Asian Games, which explicitly prohibits discrimination against competitors from member states” said Rijiju.
“Arunachal Pradesh is not a disputed territory but an inalienable part of India. Entire people of Arunachal Pradesh resolutely oppose any illegal claim of China on its land and people. International Olympic Committee should reign in China’s illegitimate action” he added in a post on X.
The three athletes from Arunachal were to take part in individual events of Wushu which gets underway on Sunday.
Earlier, the Interim President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Randhir Singh in a press conference said that they are taking up the matter to the Chinese government. “We had a meeting yesterday with the working group as well and this has been taken up in the meeting. They are taking it up with the Chinese government and we are also taking it up with the government. It is under discussion with us. We are from the OCA side,” OCA acting President Randhir Singh said in a press conference.
However, the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) vice president Wei Jizhong claimed that China has already granted Visas to Indian athletes which the players had not accepted.
The Asian Games in Hangzhou will see a 655-member strong Indian contingent in action in over 40 disciplines. Indian athletes will compete for medals across 39 different sports at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. Hangzhou 2023 will be held officially from Saturday to October 8.
