After days of uncertainty, the Indian race walking contingent is finally on its way to Brazil for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships on April 12. The team had been held up due to visa delays, with 12 athletes waiting as travel timelines slipped.
The delay stemmed from late and incomplete visa applications. The Brazil Embassy in India clarified that the applications were submitted only on April 8 and lacked required documents. “We have requested the missing documents and will proceed as soon as they are received,” the embassy said.
The squad had been finalised earlier this year after the selection trials at the 13th Indian Open Race-Walking Competition in Chandigarh. Passports were reportedly submitted on March 21, with an initial departure planned for April 4 following a high-altitude training block in Ooty. That schedule, however, was disrupted due to the visa issues.
With the situation now resolved, the team has departed, bringing relief ahead of a key international event.
Men’s Team
Marathon: Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar
Half Marathon: Sahil, Servin Sebastian, Hardeep, Akshdeep Singh
Women’s Team
Marathon: Manju Rani, Priyanka Goswami, Payal
Half Marathon: Ravina, Munita Prajapati, Mansi Negi
India will now look to regroup quickly and focus on performance on the global stage.