Ministry of External Affairs says media reports of denial of visas to Pakistani Scrabble players false

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday has said that the reports of Pakistani players being denied visas for the ongoing Scrabble tournament in India is false.

It further added that 12 visas were issued to the Pakistani team on November 7, which is well in time for them to travel to India for these events. This included the visas of defending champion of the Asia Cup and the reigning World Youth Champion.

Earlier, Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) Director Tariq Perez had told APP, “Despite submitting applications two months in advance, the Indian High Commission has delayed processing, issuing some visas too late for players to attend.”


He had said that half of the players were denied visas without any explanation. This also includes players who have previously participated in the tournament and won it last year.

"As reigning World Youth Champions and defending Asian Youth titleholders, Pakistan’s absence is a significant blow," Perez added.

Affan Salman, a 16-year-old player, won the World Youth Scrabble in Sri Lanka in September. The team is ranked as the top team in the tournament and won the team trophy too. It has four players in the top 10.

The Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship is a tournament which is being held in New Delhi from November 10-12.