NRAI requests SAI for vaccination of skeet shooters in Italy

Angad Bajwa and Mairaj Khan are likely to travel to Croatia for the World Cup from Italy.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has received requests through the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for the vaccination of two skeet shooters Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Mairaj Ahmed Khan who are currently shooting in Italy.

The former needs his second dose and the latter requiring his first since he has recovered from a COVID-19 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 are working towards organising 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-19 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 for the Olympic Games. They performed brilliantly in the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi earlier this year.

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