KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Youth and Sports has taken action to facilitate cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane's visa application for his participation in the T20 World Cup in the US. Following discussions between Youth and Sports Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) Secretary Paras Khadka, the Ministry of Youth and Sports sent a formal letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) seeking assistance in securing the required visa for Lamichhane.

Minister Shrestha stated that the ministry is actively pursuing all necessary measures to ensure Lamichhane obtains the visa needed for travel to the US. He also emphasized the ministry's readiness to provide any additional support required in this process.

This initiative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports follows the recent denial of Lamichhane's visa application by the US Embassy in Kathmandu. The reasons behind the embassy's decision remain unclear, as the embassy declined to comment on individual visa cases due to confidentiality under US law. Nevertheless, sources indicate that the MoFA will address Sandeep's visa matter in response to the sports ministry's request. Lamichhane, who was denied a visa after an interview at the US Embassy, is eagerly preparing for his participation in the ICC T20 World Cup in the United States.