Visa woes ground WC team shooters

“I am heading home to Indore. There is no point in me hanging around and waiting for the visa,when its already too late.”

This is not the first time,Khan has lost the chance to compete at the USA event. A similar thing happened in 2010.

“I failed to get visa last year also. This time they had told me the same ‘its been processed,we’ll inform you once you get the clearance’,” he added.

Failing to get a visa on his blue passport,Khan had applied for a ‘White Pass’ – a sort of diplomatic pass meant for armed forces personnel who travel abroad. Still he didn’t get the nod.

“I don’t know the reason behind all of this. I used to think that I was being singled out. But now it’s not the case. Surendra (Singh Rathod) too is caught up in the same situation,” Khan added.

While Khan has been ruled out,Rathod’s fate hangs in balance. Rathod was to take part in the Prone competition,which is scheduled for 22nd of this month. And with time on his hands,Rathod is hoping for the best.

“I am hoping to get the visa in a day or two. But if they take more time then I’ll have to drop out too,” the army subedar said.

Paperwork trouble

Khan joins the list with eight others,who’s clearances were caught in paperwork and hence had to miss out on the chance to compete at Fort Benning. The latest casualty,brings the Indian team number down from 39 to 30. Only last week eight shooters,including Jaspal Rana were grounded,because they failed to get sports ministry’s clearance to travel. Seven others – Amit Pilania,Chain Singh,Jitu Roy,Shivaji More,Ayonika Paul,Chetanpreet Kaur and Kavita Yadav – were also not given clearance because they weren’t part of the core group.