Tanzanian cyclist Richard Laizer, whose participation in the Commonwealth Games is hanging in the balance. PHOTO | FILE
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Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) president, Gullam Rashid said that the cyclists failed to avail their travel documents and made their committee send the names of the athletes who met the deadline.
Dar es Salaam. The participation of two cyclists in the Commonwealth Games is hanging in balance following the failure of the athletes to secure visa.
Tanzania is expected to be represented by two cyclists namely, Richard Laizer and Emmanuel Molley in the Games scheduled for July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) president, Gullam Rashid said that the cyclists failed to avail their travel documents and made their committee send the names of the athletes who met the deadline.
Rashid said that they are still making efforts to make the cyclists travel to Glasgow with others who have been granted accreditation by the Commonwealth Games organizing committee.
He said that the task to be granted with visa should be done also by the Cycling Association of Tanzania (CAT) officials.
“We have already confirmed the names to the organizing committee in Glasgow, if each fails to secure a visa on time, both would be excluded from the games, so I call CAT officials to fight hard in order to secure the visas,” said Gullam.
Gullam also said that the cyclists can apply for the visa while abroad while training. “It is not necessary to apply while in Tanzania, provided they are abroad, they can also apply while they are abroad,” he said.
He also explained that the same problem is facing Tanzania’s swimmers who are also missing visas to travel to Glasgow. The swimmers are Magdalena Moshi, Ammaar Ghadiyali, Hilal Hilal, Mariam Foum and trainer Ramadhan Namkoveka.
According to Gullum, other athletes are still in training and have no travelling problems. Tanzania is expecting to be represented by 45 athletes in the Games. The athletes are Andrew Thomas, Abubakar Nzinge, Mbarouk Selemani and trainer, Zaid Hamis (Judo) while amateur boxing has Joseph Martin, Emmilian Patrick, and Fabian Gaudence, Ezra Paul, Nasser Mafuru, Seleman Kidunda, Hamad Furahisha, Mohamed Hakimu and trainers Mzonge Hassan and Jonas Mwakipesile.
The weightlifting has Abdullah Shaib Abdallah and his trainer, Jalinus Issa Suleiman while runners are John Leonard, Alphonce Felix, Ezekiel Gaffery, Paschal Mombo, Said Makula, Imani James, Misiwa Lameck, Michael Nkungu, Atson Mbughi, Michael Gwandu, Adnah Haruna, Sylvester Naali, Dotto Ikangaa, Hassan Ali, Fabiano Sulle, Ali Gulam, Keneth Maluba and trainers Boniface Kimisha, Suleiman Nyambui and Shaban Hiki.
Table tennis players are Amon Amanieli, Neema Mwaisyula, Mwamvita Abdu, Masoud Issa and Agnes Ngodoki.
