Visa trouble delays teams departure

It seems Indian hockey is never far from controversies. This time,it is the women who have been stuck due to visa problems...

It seems Indian hockey is never far from controversies. This time,it is the women who have been stuck due to visa problems,delaying their travel by a day.

The Indian women were to leave for the Champions Challenge a qualifying tournament for the Champions Trophy from June 21-28 in Kazan,Russia,early Friday morning. But the absence of a transit visa for Frankfurt where they had an 11-hour break meant they had to return from the airport. In fact,even a couple of days back,another Indian team was stuck in Bangkok for want of a transit visa.

We had got information that the other Indian womens team,en route to New Zealand,required a transit visa for Sydney but did not have it. They got to know of this only after reaching Bangkok,but were allowed to proceed provided they managed a visa on the return journey, chief coach MK Kaushik said.

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Because of this,we had specifically asked the travel agents whether there could be any problem regarding the transit visa but were told not to worry. But the airline officials refused us permission, he said,adding that the attitude of officials at the central governments travel agency Balmer Lawrie Ltd. was very disappointing.

Hockey India secretary general Mohammad Aslam said: We had sought all travel information in advance and specifically enquired whether transit visa or any other formalities were required but were told they were not, he said,adding that he has sought an explanation from the travel agency.

The team will now leave early on Friday morning through a direct flight to Moscow.

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