NEW DELHI: Bangladesh’s famend 80-year-old chess participant Sayeda Jasimunnessa Khatun, higher often known as Rani Hamid, arrived in India earlier this month to take part within the twenty first version of the Delhi Worldwide Open Grandmasters Chess Event (June 7-14).The journey that started in excessive spirits took a troubling flip when her journey companion and compatriot, Ashiya Sultana, was denied entry into the nation upon arrival on the Indira Gandhi Worldwide Airport in New Delhi.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sultana, 37, was reportedly blacklisted by the Foreigners Regional Registration Workplace (FRRO) for taking part in a chess event in Kolkata whereas on a medical visa throughout a earlier go to.
Ballot
Ought to gamers be given an opportunity to make clear previous visa points earlier than being denied entry?
In consequence, she was held on the Airport immigration centre in a single day and denied entry to her baggage. Subsequently, she was deported to Bangladesh the next day.The incident left Rani Hamid visibly shaken and emotionally distressed. “I’m very unhappy,” Hamid instructed TimesofIndia.com on the sidelines of the Delhi GM Open. “The one who got here with me was not allowed to enter India. She was made to take a seat in a single day on the immigration centre. They didn’t even give her entry to her baggage. The subsequent day, she was pressured to purchase a return ticket at double the worth,” she stated. “My thoughts is disturbed, and I’m unable to deal with the sport.”Because of the unlucky flip of occasions, Hamid (rated 1800+) has had a difficult run within the event thus far, securing one win and one draw out of six rounds, all towards lower-rated opponents.Hamid, who has lengthy avoided travelling alone for tournaments resulting from her rising age, added, “I by no means journey alone. I at all times have somebody with me. She was accompanying me, and now she is gone. I’ve been left alone.”
Ballot
Do you assume the immigration insurance policies concerning sports activities members must be extra clear?
Talking additional on the state of affairs, the 80-year-old, who turned Bangladesh’s first Girl Worldwide Grasp (WIM) in 1985, voiced deep concern over the obvious lack of coordination between the Indian and Bangladeshi authorities.“Her passport was clear, all paperwork had been so as, however immigration instructed her she had been blacklisted for taking part in in a earlier event on a medical visa,” Hamid continued.“On the time, she wasn’t even conscious that it was a violation. If she had been knowledgeable earlier, she would by no means have come. The Indian authorities ought to have notified the Bangladesh Chess Federation.”
Hamid added that she pleaded with immigration officers for leniency. “I requested them: should you imagine she violated the principles, then impose a wonderful, $100, $200, no matter, however let her keep and play for seven days. She will not be a felony. She hasn’t dedicated any crime. She didn’t kill, steal, or rob anybody. Her solely offence is that she performed chess.”Regardless of the emotional pressure, Rani Hamid, nevertheless, acknowledged the assist and hospitality offered by the organising committee of the Delhi Chess Affiliation (DCA).ALSO READ: Rs 50,000 a month and numerous sacrifices: How India’s chess future shapes up in Chennai hutWith the event held at The Tivoli, a resort in Chhatarpur, Delhi, the place worldwide members are additionally accommodated, it takes Hamid lower than 5 minutes to stroll from her room to the enjoying corridor. “It is extremely comfy right here. I can play solely due to that consolation. I’m very grateful to the organisers who despatched tickets and invited us so warmly,” she stated.DCA president Bharat Singh Chauhan described the incident as one of many many challenges that include organising a serious worldwide occasion.
“Visa points are frequent for international gamers. On this case, the FRRO had blacklisted her. Maybe she had beforehand come to India for medical remedy and ended up enjoying in a chess event, which can have led somebody to file a criticism. In consequence, she was denied entry. These sorts of challenges are half and parcel of internet hosting large-scale occasions,” he defined.