Following widespread criticism and requests from the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), the Home Ministry gave green signal for the 46-member Iran and 30-member China teams, for the Asian cycling championships, on Tuesday.
In a late post on its website, the Cycling Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran (CFIRI) said that the first group of Iranian national team riders and officials would fly to India on Wednesday.
As soon as the Ministry of Home Affairs cleared visas, the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) informed both national federations. “I have sent the emails and telephoned them so that they could pursue the matter with their respective Indian embassies.
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“However, cyclists from Pakistan and Afghanistan have not got the clearance,” said CFI secretary general Onkar Singh.