Visa issues stump Malaysian coaches

Two top Malayasian coaches, who were on a long-term coaching assignment at the Karnataka Badminton Association, were forced to head back home on Tuesday after it emerged that they were here without working visas.

The coaches -- Muhammad Roslin Bin Hashim and Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif -- were brought here by the KBA for a 40-day summer camp last month.

A KBA source said the coaches, who had begun training on April 20, arrived in India with their tourist visas and the association was not aware of it.

“The matter came to KBA’s notice when the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) warned the two coaches. The FRRO received the information about their visas and asked them to return with their working visas,” the official said.

The summer camp, that kicked off in right earnest last month, was another effort by the KBA to boost the sport which has been on the rise in the country.

Roslin, a former men’s singles world number 1, had expressed his delight over the opportunity and was in awe of the infrastructure available in the city.

Zakry is a doubles specialist, who has three titles to his credit with a career-high doubles ranking of four.

According to KBA sources, the duo would return to India soon.

“The coaches are expected to re-join the coaching programme in ten day’s time with their proper working visas.”