After EAM's intervention, javelin thrower Kishore Jena gets Hungarian visa to compete at World Championships
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Indian javelin thrower Kishore Jena on Friday received his visa to travel to Hungary, paving the way for him to compete at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest from August 19-27.
Jena, one of the four Indian javelin throwers to qualify, won gold in the Sri Lankan National Championships with a personal best of 84.38m and qualified for the event through the world ranking quota.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra had urged the government to help Jena obtain his Hungary visa.
“Just heard that there are issues with Kishore Jena’s visa, preventing him from entering Hungary for the World Championships. I hope the authorities are able to find a solution, as this is one of the biggest moments of his career. Let’s do everything we can,” Chopra wrote on his social media on Thursday.
Perfect Timing With Swift Response!
— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 18, 2023
India's accomplished Javelin thrower Kishore Kumar Jena encountered a setback after his visa application for Hungary was denied by the Embassy. This unexpected hurdle had raised concerns about his participation in the prestigious World… pic.twitter.com/3xkKsS99eO
The development happened after Neeraj Chopra's post on X caught the attention of the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar, prompting an immediate response. The EAM instructed MEA officials to urgently engage with the Hungarian Embassy in New Delhi to expedite the visa process for Kishore Jena.
The MEA's strategic intervention yielded positive results. Following the EAM's directive, the Hungarian Embassy promptly granted the visa, clearing the way for Kishore Jena to participate in the international sporting event. With the visa hurdle swiftly overcome, Kishore Jena's departure to Hungary became a reality.
Sources said, "MEA has always been helpful to Indian athletes participating in international competitions." The MEA's lightning-quick response was no isolated incident. The ministry has consistently donned the jersey of support for Indian athletes in global competitions.
In recent instances, the MEA expedited visa approvals for Indian representatives at the World Games 2023 in Berlin, the United World Wrestling tournament in Croatia, the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in New Zealand, international chess tournaments, and various badminton tournaments abroad.