World Cup organisers hoping for Visa Pawar

‘Visa Pawar’. That’s the buzz-phrase for the 2011 World Cup.
At a meeting of their Central Organising Committee (COC) in Colombo last Friday, the organisers tried to look into the possibility of a common visa for fans by the host countries — India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — but found it is impossible because of the strict visa norms put in place by India since 26/11, which are followed meticulously since the David Headley issue surfaced.

But the COC hopes that Sharad Pawar — former president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and also Union agriculture minister — may be able to do something in this regard.

Pawar, set to become president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in July, has promised to take up the matter with his government and get a few norms relaxed. The tournament is scheduled for February-April next year.

Unlike in the 2007 tournament in the West Indies, where a common visa called Caricom was issued to fans by the Caribbean countries, this time it was made clear to participating nations that there will be no such facility for entry into the three South Asian nations.

In the wake of the Headley arrest, India amended its visa rules by stipulating that a foreigner cannot come back to the country till 60 days after his or her leaving it. The rule means cricket fans from abroad cannot crisscross the host countries during the tournament.

Ratnakar Shetty, tournament director, told DNA: “Mr Pawar has told the COC that he would take up the matter with the home and external affairs ministries to have the rule relaxed for fans during the tournament.”

An ICC release said: “At present only single entry visas are permitted for tourists to India, but the COC is working with the Indian government in the hope that multiple entry visas will be available for all supporters holding valid match tickets.”

It is, however, expected that the relaxation will not be applicable for fans from Pakistan. In any case, Pakistan play all their matches either in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. Pakistani fans may have to visit India only if their team reach the final. The ICC said teams, officials and mediapersons will not face problems as they will be issued accreditations.

India will be hosting 29 of the 49 matches (including one quarterfinal and one semifinal, besides the final), Sri Lanka 12 (including one quarterfinal and one semifinal) and Bangladesh 8 (including the opening ceremony and two quarterfinals). The tournament starts on February 18 in Dhaka. The final will be held in Mumbai on April 2.