Bangladesh’s leading golfer Siddikur Rahman is in a dilemma regarding his participation in the International Series in Oman due to the non-issuance of his visa for the Gulf country.
The two-time Asian Tour winner, who is currently in Malaysia to compete in the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open on February 15, expressed his frustration over the visa issue in a phone call with the Daily Star.
Siddikur, as part of the Asian tour, applied for Oman visa in Dhaka twice, but did not receive any response from the embassy, he informed. The two million dollar International Series will begin in Oman on February 22.
“It’s really frustrating for me,” Siddikur said. “I booked my tickets for February 18. If I don’t get the visa, I will lose $4,000, which is not a small amount. And what’s more, I will miss the opportunity to participate in a important event.”
It is worth mentioning that Oman suspended the issuance of new visas for Bangladeshis of all categories at the end of October.
Siddikur, however, said this was not the first time he had faced such problems. He had hotel reservations and plane tickets confirmed for a tournament in Qatar last year, but his visa to the kingdom was ultimately denied.
“I have faced visa issues throughout my golfing career. It is very complicated for me to go from embassy to embassy to obtain visas, given the busy international golf schedule. “Last problem is very frustrating for me because participating in a tournament involves a lot of preparation – physical, mental and financial. I am not an ordinary citizen as I represent the country all over the world,” Siddikur said, urging the authorities. Bangladesh to take steps so that it can participate in the international series in Oman.
