Cuba Denounces Denial of Athlete Visas for World Youth Games

The Cuban Athletics Federation has denounced the refusal of U.S. entry visas to four members of the Caribbean delegation to attend the World Youth Championship, to be held in Eugene, Oregon, in the United States.

According to a note released on Wednesday, the United States Interests Section in Havana denied visas to Liagmanis Povea and Andy Diaz (both triple jumpers), to Roger Valentine Iribarne (110m hurdles) and to Zurián Hechevarría (400 meter hurdles).

The note from the Federation added that although all applications were filed in compliance with the standards established, "the cases of José Bordon González (Technical Manager) and Alberto Juantorena Danger (President of the Cuban Federation and Member IAAF Council) remain pending, with no certainty of a positive response."

"We consider that such a position violates both the facilities that must be guaranteed by countries committed to such events, and the demanding ideals of countries involved in world sporting events," it added.

The Cuban Athletics Federation noted that it had reported the situation to the International Federation, to its U.S. counterpart and to the local organizing committee, insisting that it will only participate in the event if visas are issued to all the members of its delegation.

Cuba has frequently denounced Washington's denial of visas to athletes and sports officials who should have participated in events in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
In 2013, the athletics world champions Yipsi Moreno and Yargelis Savigne did not receive visas to compete in the Diamond League in Eugene, according to the Federation.

Volleyball

Cuba will make its debut today versus China on the 28th in the end of the 3rd level of the World Volleyball League, which will be held in the Turkish city of Bursa, said an announcement of the International Federation of the discipline.

In the other match of this section, Slovakia, will be playing against Switzerland, the host.

The Cuban team led the results of preliminary classifications in sections F and D with 15 points, 5 wins and 1 lost in Group F, followed by China (14 units, 5 wins and 1 defeat) in Group G. The following are: Turkey (13-4-2) and Slovakia (11-3-3), who competed in Groups F and G, respectively.

Mexico (6-2-4) and Tunisia (2-1-5) finished in 3rd and 4th places in Group F, just as Spain (6-2-4) and Puerto Rico (5-2-4), classified in Group G.

Italy and the United States, the leaders of Groups A and B-first level, in that order, and Belgium, France and Portugal are head in Groups C, D and E-, second level-, in that order, will continue their struggle on the weekend in Florence, Italy; and Sydney, Australia.

Badminton
The Cuban Osleni Guerrero begins today the defense of his title before Brazilian Silva Pomoceno at the 3rd International Badminton Tournament of Venezuela, which will be played at Miranda Park, of the city of Caracas, until next Sunday.

If Osleni, ranked 54th in the world rankings, overcomes the South-American athlete, he will face in the 2nd round the winner between the Trinitarian Nicholas Bonkowski and local Joseph Kevin Peñalver.

The Cuban, who is 24 years old, is the 1st seed in the tournament, and will have as main rivals in pursuit of defending his crown reached in 2013, the Brazilians Daniel Paiola and Alex Yuwan and Mexican Lino Muñoz.

Besides Guerrero, Cuba compete with Ernesto Reyes, who will face Venezuelan Leonardo Uzcategui, and Leodanis Martinez will take on the Brazilian Paiola Brayan Veliz, while among the ladies, Cubans Tahimara Oropeza will face Argentina's Florencia Bernatene, Ana Gloria Perez will go up against Venezuela's Andreina Martínez and Adriana Artiz will take on Peruvian Luz Maria Sornoza.