The Sports Authority of India has received requests through NRAI for the vaccination of two skeet shooters Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Mairaj Ahmed Khan who are shooting in Italy.
The former needs his second dose and the latter requiring his first since he has recovered from a Covid infection just over a month ago. For the vaccination of the skeet shooters, the National Rifle Association of India intimated SAI on June 10.
The Embassy of India in Rome has taken the issue up with the concerned Italian authorities and is working towards organizing vaccine doses for both. The SAI and Embassy are in touch with both athletes to help resolve the issue. The Italian government’s health department has requested details of athletes with regards to their past Covid history, which have been furnished.
As for the extension of the gun permits and visas of the two shooters and visa of the physical trainer Jitender Arya till July 18, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has already written to the Ministry of External Affairs for assistance.
Since Italian authorities have said the visas of those already in Italy cannot be extended as per rules, the Embassy of India in Rome has taken it up with the Italian Olympic Committee to help secure the extension of visas. Both athletes are likely to travel to Croatia for the World cup from Italy.
The Indian Government has also made backup arrangements for their vaccination in Croatia in the event of vaccination not taking place in Italy so that both athletes get two doses before their travel to Tokyo.
SAI, Indian Embassy in Rome working with local authorities to resolve skeet shooters’ concerns
ByVishal Sharma
Jun 17, 2021
By Vishal Sharma
Vishal Sharma is an experienced Indian journalist, cyber security consultant, social activist, and poet writing under the pen name Surur Akbarabadi. With over two decades in journalism, he has worked across print, digital, and TV media, including notable roles at The Indian Express, The Pioneer, Indo-American Times, and Business Standard. He is currently the editor of Agra24.in, a bilingual news portal focused on Agra, which he co-founded to provide in-depth analysis and balanced reporting. Based in Agra and Lucknow, Vishal balances his professional commitments with family life. Academically, he has studied Life Sciences, Law, and Business Management, and has pursued studies in journalism and mass communication. His journalism covers current affairs, business, and social issues, with a focus on factual reporting and avoiding controversial topics that could harm social harmony. As a poet inspired by Urdu legends like Ghalib and Nazir Akbarabadi, Vishal’s work combines personal insight with societal critique. He actively promotes communal harmony through his role as Vice-Chairman of Hindustani Biradari, an organization founded to emphasize unity beyond religion and caste. He is also Secretary of the Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber and was also a member of Agra’s Heritage and History Conservation Committee, working to preserve the city’s cultural heritage. Professionally, Vishal brings his cyber security expertise to his media work, enhancing the technical and editorial quality of his news platforms. His interests include photography and travel, particularly exploring India’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage sites like Rajasthan, especially Sariska. His contributions reflect a steady commitment to journalism, cultural preservation, and social cohesion without excessive embellishment.