Tennis tourney: Centre approaches UK govt for visa to Sania Mirza's 2YO son
MEA asked for a visa for the two-year-old son of tennis player Sania Mirza so that she can take the toddler with her while she participates in a series of competitions in Great Britain ahead of Tokyo Olympics.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 20 May 2021 3:31 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approached the UK government, through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), for a visa to the two-year-old son of tennis player Sania Mirza so that she can take the toddler with her while she participates in a series of competitions in Great Britain ahead of Tokyo Olympics.
Sania will be participating in the Nottingham Open on June 6 followed by the Birmingham Open on June 14, the Eastbourne Open on June 20 followed by the Wimbledon Grand Slam on June 28. Though Sania has been granted a visa to travel to Nottingham, her son, and his caretaker have not received documents owing to travel restrictions on Indian travelers.
Sania, who is a part of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), approached the Ministry for help. Sania stated that she cannot leave a two-year-old child behind as she travels for a month.
The request was immediately taken up by the Sports Ministry and a letter was sent to MEA requesting them to take up the matter with the UK government through the Indian Embassy in London.
"We received this request for Sania a few days back, and I felt that it is important that as a mother Sania be allowed to take her two-year-old son along so that she can participate with a free mind without worrying for her child back home. I have approved the request and Sports Ministry officials have initiated the process with the MEA. The Sports Ministry's effort has always been to provide every support to our athletes. We are hopeful that the UK Government will see merit in this case and allow the child to travel with Sania," said Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
