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. 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.
Earlier the Ministry of External affairs announced that Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is cancelling his visit to the games as a mark of protest.
After Sports Minister Anurag Thakur cancelled his visit to China for the Asian Games, the Chinese government adopted a beligerent 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.
The MEA spokesperson added that India rejects this treatment of its players by Chinese Authorities.
