Pakistan's judoka have been unable to contest the imminent Commonwealth Judo Championships in India because of reported delays on visas ©CJA

Pakistani compeitors have been prevented from taking part in the Commonwealth Judo Championships in the Indian city of Jaipur due to visa issues.

The Championships, due to start tomorrow and conclude on Sunday (November 11), are being contested in masters, seniors, juniors and cadet categories and the Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) announced last month that its judokas would participate in all classes.

"Our 19 Judokas were set to leave for the Championship via Wagah Border," Masood Ahmed, PJF's vice-president, said.

"It would have been our first ever full-fledged participation in an international event.

"But I'm very sad that we are going to miss this event due to visa delay."

The Pakistan Judo Federation has reported that visa delays have frustrated its plans to send a team to the Commonwealth Judo Championships due to start in the Indian city of Jaipur ©IJF Facebook
The Pakistan Judo Federation has reported that visa delays have frustrated its plans to send a team to the Commonwealth Judo Championships due to start in the Indian city of Jaipur ©IJF Facebook

Masood claimed that the delay to get visas was on the part of the Indian Home Ministry.

"We've processed our case to the organisers of the event, the Indian Judo Federation, well in time," he said.

"They were very cooperative and tried their best to get clearance for our athletes.

"But I believe the delay is on the part of Indian Home Ministry as it took too long to decide in our case.

"Although it has cleared us now, we will not be able to reach in time."

The visa problem also precluded the PJF from seeking an Executive Committee member in the Commonwealth Judo Association (CJA) elections to be held today.

The Commonwealth Judo Association Congress meeting in Jaipur on the day before competition gets underway in the Championships elected Malta's Envic Galea as its new vice-president ©CJA
The Commonwealth Judo Association Congress meeting in Jaipur on the day before competition gets underway in the Championships elected Malta's Envic Galea as its new vice-president ©CJA

The CJA Congress election results on the eve of competition saw Malta's Envic Galea voted in as vice-president with Ronnie Saez of Scotland the secretary general and treasurer.

CJA Executive President Rick Kenney said: "Welcome to new colleagues joining the Executive team as we begin the cycle prior to the Birmingham [2022] Commonwealth Games, where judo will take its place as a core sport.

"Thank you to departing members, who have served the Association over many years.

"We are looking forward to celebrating many new Commonwealth judo champions over the next few days here in Jaipur, the first time the Championships have been held in India."