Wushu team set for World University Games in China held back due to 'stapled visas' for Arunachal players

The Indian wushu team's departure for Chengdu, China on Wednesday evening to participate in the World University Games (July 28-August 8) was put on hold by the government as three Arunachal Pradesh players in the team got stapled visas from China. to people who know about things.

There were eight players, one coach and three officials in the twelve-member team. Three wushu players in the team - Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega, and Mepung Lamgu - are from Arunachal Pradesh. The three players were scheduled to fly to Chengdu on Thursday evening. The other members of the Wushu team were due to fly out on Wednesday evening (Thursday, 1:00).

The Indian contingent for the World University Games is fielded by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), which organizes the selection trials of athletes from various universities in India.

In the report, the Union Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of External Affairs discussed deciding on the next course of action. There was no immediate official response from Indian officials. In the past, China has denied visas to athletes from Arunachal Pradesh or issued stapled visas, effectively making it impossible for them to travel.

In 2011, the Chinese Embassy issued stapled visas to five karatekas from Arunachal Pradesh for the Quanghou Championship. In 2013, two young archers, Maselo Miha, and Sorang Yumi, were stopped from participating in the World Youth Archery Championships for the same reason.

The stapled visas are meant to indicate that China does not recognize India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh. India has consistently rejected China's claims that the northeastern state is a disputed territory. Allowing Indians from the state on stapled visas to travel to China would be to recognize that Arunachal Pradesh is disputed territory and immigration officials at all airports are instructed not to allow anyone on a stapled visa to board a plane to China, one of the people. stated above.

During a visit to India in 2014, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi claimed that such bundled visas "do not undermine or threaten our respective positions on the border issue".