MHA clears Iran to participate in Asian Cycling C'ship

The 46-member Iranian contingent was today cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs to participate in the Hero Asian Cycling Championship starting March 7, here.
However, visas to cyclists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq have still not been cleared by the MHA.
"We received a communication from the MHA stating that 46 members of the Iranian have been cleared for participation in the Asian Cycling Championship," CFI secretary-general Onkar Singh said.
"We have sent this letter to the Iranian cycling federation so that they can apply for visas in the Indian Embassy.
"We are happy that Iranian cyclists would be coming but we are still pursuing for visas to players from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, with the MHA. We want them to be a part of this Championship," he said.

The CFI had already received an NOC from the External Affairs Ministry and were waiting for MHA for visa clearances. With the clearance from the MHA, the organizers are waiting for the Iran cyclists to arrive here by tomorrow or dayafter.

The Iranian cyclists, an Asian powerhouse in this sport, wanted to arrive at least 10 days in advance so as to practice on the wooden track -- only available in China and India, at the IG stadium's cycling velodrome.
"It's unfortunate that it took so long for their clearances. But it was not in our hand. Teams generally arrive for the competition a day or two in advance. But the Iranian team wanted to acclimatised to the conditions that is why they wanted to come early," singh added.

Meanwhile, Kazakhastan, who has the largest contingent of over 70 cyclists, have arrived in New Delhi. Other nations that arrived today are China, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.