The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, through the Ministry of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Popular Power for Sports, issued an official statement in which the decision of the Government of the Republic of Ecuador to delay and not grant the corresponding visas to the athletes of the Venezuelan Volleyball Delegation of beach in the U21 category, both feminine and male.
This delay, qualified as a strictly political action, prevents the participation of young athletes in the world qualifier that is held from August 8 to 10 in Ecuador, a key event in the International Calendar of the Discipline.
Next, the full text:
The situation is part of a climate of diplomatic tensions between the two countries, which has even affected the sports field. According to official sources, the visa application was made in a timely manner, but did not receive a response from the Ecuadorian authorities, which has been interpreted as an unjustified exclusion measure.
The Venezuelan government considers that this type of decisions violates the principles of sport as a tool for integration, peace and youth development, and regrets that administrative mechanisms are used to hinder the participation of athletes in international competences.
“This unfortunate situation prevents our young people from representing the country in a World Cup event, affecting not only its sports development, but also the spirit of brotherhood between nations,” says the official statement.
