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Indonesia denies visa to Israel badminton player

Friday, 07 August 2015 10:25 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 07 August 2015 12:27 PM ]

Israel's Misha Zilberman returns a shot during the men's singles badminton match in the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 in London. ©AFP

Indonesia has refused to grant a visa to an Israeli badminton player expected to compete in next week's World Championships in the Southeast Asian country.

The 26-year-old Misha Zilberman, who played for Israel at the London 2012 Olympics, spent the past couple of weeks practicing in Singapore while waiting for his visa request to be approved.

His application was, however, turned down by Jakarta despite his attempting for months to secure permission to enter Indonesia.

"After six months of exchanging letters and after sending all the documents they requested, and after we arrived in Singapore, they are saying no," Zilberman, wrote on his Facebook account. "After two weeks in Singapore waiting for a visa they are probably sending me home instead of to the World Championships."

The week-long tournament, which is one of the top events, will kick off on Monday.

Meanwhile, Yuni Kartika, a spokeswoman for the Indonesian Badminton Association, has also confirmed that Zilberman is yet to be granted a visa.

Immigration officials in Indonesia are yet to comment on the report.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, and Israel do not have formal diplomatic ties. Israelis wishing to visit the Southeast Asian country must obtain a special visa in Bangkok or Singapore after getting a sponsorship letter from Indonesian officials.

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