Another bad day for the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) as wrestlers from Pakistan were denied entry to the Asian Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan as a result of landing at the incorrect airport and being deported to Dubai.
The four-person Pakistani team, which included coach Ghulam Fareed, wrestlers Mohammad Bilal, Inayatullah, who won the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, and Nouman Zaka, reportedly arrived at the Almaty International Airport but was turned away for a visa, which is only granted in Astana.
The wrestlers were given every opportunity to go from Dubai to their final destination, but no planes could be scheduled, therefore all three were unable to participate in their scheduled matches.
Arshad Sattar, vice-president of the PWF, said that Pakistan could not submit valid visa applications owing to a lack of time, but that the federation had been told that the issue would be resolved when the squad arrived.
The Asian Wrestling Championships are crucial for both nations and wrestlers because only those who compete there are eligible to compete in the World Championships, which will take place in September of this year.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will also use the World Championships as a benchmark for qualification. Pakistan will be eligible to compete in the World Championships, according to Arshad Sattar, as they were not at blame for the missed event.
