BD athletes denied visas

Bangladeshi athletes lost the opportunity to represent their country in the Commonwealth Youth Games after failing to obtain transit visas of the United States en route to the Bahamas, which will host the Games from July 18.

A six-member Bangladesh contingent comprised of four athletes -- swimmers Ariful Islam and Dothoi Proo Marma and boxers Azharul Islam and Farzana Akter -- along with team leader MA Kuddus Khan and coach-cum-manager Rabeya Khatun were supposed to fly for the Bahamas today.

"The US embassy refused to issue port-entry visas last Sunday for the second time and we needed the visa to reach the Bahamas. So we had to give up on the hope of taking part in the Games after being refused," said Kuddus, adding that they submitted all relevant documents including the Government Order.

The Bangladesh Olympic Association had conducted a two-month training camp to prepare the athletes and took all necessary preparations to send the contingent to the Bahamas.