NEW DELHI: India’s preparations for the upcoming U23 World Wrestling Championships have hit a major roadblock. Participation of several top young Indian grapplers—including 2024 U17 World Champion Neha Sangwan—is currently hanging in the balance after the United States Embassy in New Delhi denied them visas.
The unexpected setback unfolded on Wednesday when a contingent of Indian participants appeared at the US Embassy for their mandatory visa interviews. Out of 24 delegates, including 16 wrestlers, nine athletes were verbally informed that their visa applications had been refused. Their passports were promptly returned to them following the interviews.
According to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the American consular officials turned down the young athletes on grounds that have left sports administrators baffled: the wrestlers are below 20 years of age and are currently unemployed.
The WFI has strongly contested the reasoning, emphasizing that the tournament in question is specifically designed for athletes under the age of 23. Because the championship caters to an age bracket spanning 18 to 23 years, the competing athletes are naturally young adults who are fully dedicated to pursuing professional sports careers rather than holding conventional, full-time jobs.
"Accordingly, many of these young athletes are understandably still pursuing their sporting careers and are not formally employed," the WFI noted in a formal communication urging the US Embassy to review the decisions.
The list of affected athletes named by the federation includes prominent young prospects such as Samarth Gajanan Mhakave, Dheeraj Kumar Malik, Sachin Kumar, Nikhil, Hardeep, Parveen, Ahilya Shatrughn Shinde, Neha Sharma, and Neha Sangwan.
With the prestigious U23 World Wrestling Championships scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from October 12 to 18, time is running out fast. The federation has also voiced grave concerns regarding the remaining athletes scheduled for visa interviews, noting that they face identical circumstances—being under 20 and lacking formal employment.
The WFI has formally appealed to the US Embassy to urgently reconsider the refused applications and grant timely clearances so that India can field a full, competitive squad on the global stage.
