Nigeria’s participation in the ICC World Cricket League Division 7 tournament, which takes place in Guernsey from May 17, was in the lap of the gods after it was revealed that players were struggling to obtain visas to enter the UK.
Speaking to Cricket Europe, Endurance Ofem, the side’s 16-year-old wicketkeeper, said that the British High Commission had not processed applications for visas. “As things stand now, realistically, we might not be making the UK tour but we can only hope that the embassy releases our passports with visas. The players are disappointed at the British High Commission but remain focused for the job at hand.”
A couple of corrections, Endurance is not 16, more like 26 and he doesn't keep wicket anymore (except in emergencies). Still no visas though
Posted by: Vikram Maingi at May 13, 2009 10:21 AM
These administative issues should have been thought about at the time of deciding the venue.
Posted by: Michael Meade at May 13, 2009 6:36 PM
The same thing happened to Suriname with the Americas Division 1 tournament in Florida.
Posted by: roland at May 15, 2009 8:54 AM
Visas finally issued yesterday, the team hoping to get to Guernsey just in time for the first game on Sunday.
Posted by: babu siddiqi at May 15, 2009 7:08 PM
This is not first time.the same thing happend to many players.
Posted by: Vikram Maingi at May 16, 2009 7:00 PM
All the best to all the teams, esp. Nigeria who got hardly any time for preparation in Geurnsey.
The visa issues should have been thought about at the time of deciding the venue.
Posted by: Tayo Okus at May 19, 2009 3:14 PM
And the Nigerians won their first match against Japan, phew... i've always known they can do it just that the jet lag and conditions on ground (cold weather and tuft wicket) was just not in their favour,looking at the short hours they spent to acclimatize. Come on boys show them Nigerian cricket.
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