Athletics Kenya (AK) has issued a statement regarding the visa delay experienced last week by Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala.
Omanyala received his visa to travel to the United States (US) less than 24 hours before the World Athletics Championships in Oregon kicked off.
According to the statement signed by AK president Jackson Tuwei on Monday, July 18, Omanyala's visa delay was caused by an additional form that he was required to fill at the embassy.
Mr. Tuwei stated that the ministry nor the AK could intervene because the process had to be undertaken individually by Omanyala.
"It is important to mention that Ferdinand Omanyala went for visa biometrics at the Embassy of the United States in Nairobi on 7th July 2022, alongside other athletes. The rest were issued with their visas a day later while Omanyala's passport was not released.
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"When we inquired why, we were informed that he needed to fill in an additional form referred to as supplementary questions for visa applicants, to verify some facts," the statement by AK read in part.
Read Also: Omanyala Overcomes Adversities to Qualify for 100M Semi Finals in Oregon
AK thanked CS Amina Mohamed for her efforts that saw Omanyala's visa eventually processed.
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Mr. Tuwei also dismissed reports that 32 government officials traveled to Oregon, saying that due to the strict rules, only three officials accompanied the athletes.
Omanyala failed to make it to the final of the 100m after finishing fifth in the semifinal on Sunday morning in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
The Africa 100m champion clocked a sluggish 10.14, missing out on the two automatic slots for the final.
