Visa roadblock for national cyclist

VICE-PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Cycling Federation (JCF), Adrian Clarke, is up in arms with the German embassy, which has twice denied visa applications for national female cyclist Llori Sharpe.

Sharpe, who recently signed a one-year contract with German female cycling team Canyon/Sram Generation, is scheduled to leave the island on January 13 in order to start a training camp on the 15th.

However, her second application for a visa was turned down on Tuesday, and Clarke is puzzled by European embasssies’ refusal to grant national representatives visas to represent their country and to improve their careers.

He pointed to the Road World Championships in Belgium in September when Sharpe and two other riders, Kevan Pryce and Brandon Baker, were denied visas and missed the championships, and he is asking that Sharpe be given this opportunity to advance her career.

“She has signed to a female team based in Germany. She will be provided with accommodation, salary, training, and racing across Europe.

“But we are having a problem – the same problem we had with the team that was supposed to go to the World Championships not being granted visas.

“I do not know which Jamaican wants to run off in Europe, but they are giving us a warm time with the visa,” he stated.

He noted that everything is in place for Sharpe to travel on the 13th in terms of plane tickets, itinerary, and accommodation.

REQUESTING OTHER VERIFICATION

However, despite letters from the Jamaica Olympic Association (JCA), the Ministry of Sports and the JCA, the German embassy is still requesting other verifications.

“We are not acting as individuals, we are acting as a sporting body. We got a letter from the JOA. We contacted the minister of sports and she gave us a letter. We also had one from our administration, the Jamaica Cycling Association.

“So we have endorsement letters and authentic letters from various bodies

“Yesterday (Tuesday), they are saying they want to see things like an outline of salary and a number of other things, which I think is ridiculous,” he said.

“Two times we went to the embassy, and they turned us down. Llori is in her last year at university (of the West Indies) finishing her bachelor’s (sports science) and her parents are business people, so we don’t see the reason for denying her.

“It was the same problem we had when we were supposed to go to Belgium, and we missed that opportunity to showcase our talent to the world,” he continued.

Clarke revealed that two male teams in Europe also have Jamaican riders on their radar, and he said it was important that local riders can take up these opportunities.

“We need opportunities for our cyclists, and the fact that European teams can have interest in Jamaican cyclists, who are not traditionally a powerhouse, means we are making our presence felt.

“But it shouldn’t have to be like this. Give her the opportunity. Her cause is authentic, and she has trained hard.

“She is very disciplined, and she has put in sweat, tears, and blood. She now has an opportunity to make a career and a living out of cycling, and we cannot kill her dreams,” he said.

Sharpe, who is the first Jamaican cyclist to get a contract in Europe and the second in the Caribbean, said that although the situation is unfortunate, she is optimistic that she will receive the visa in time to leave on the 13th.

“The problem I am having with the visa acquisition is being sorted as we speak. So hopefully, I will get that in time for my departure because we will have a training camp starting on the 15th,” she said.

“The Belgium issue was unfortunate, especially seeing that I was supposed to go to the World Championships, and that would have been an incredible achievement for a Jamaican to be on the world stage.

“But we cannot dwell on the past. What’s done is done, and we want to move on to bigger and better things, and being a part of this team means going on to bigger and better things.

“We have to garner the support of some reputable figures, and with their support, I think I should be okay,” she added.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com