India approaches UK government for grant of visa to Sania Mirza’s son

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<strong>Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, currently placed 161st in the WTA doubles rankings, has requested country's sports ministry to help her getting a UK visa for her son and his caretaker stating that she cannot leave the two-year-old child behind as she participates in a series of competitions in the United Kingdom, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.<br />
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Though Sania has been granted a visa to travel, her son and his caretaker have not received UK visas owing to the travel restrictions on Indian travellers.<br />
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Following Sania's request, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has now approached the UK Government, through the Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India, to grant visa to the son of ace tennis player so that she can take the toddler with her.<br />
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The request was immediately taken up by the Sports Ministry and a letter has already been sent to MEA requesting them to take up the matter in the UK through the Indian Embassy in London.<br />
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Sania, who is a part of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), will be participating in the Nottingham Open on June 6 followed by the Birmingham Open on June 14, the Eastbourne Open on June 20 and the Wimbledon Grand Slam on June 28.<br />
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"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, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.</p>
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