Bash Ali Appeals Visa Denial

Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja - 02.02.2008

Kanu Nwakwo

World Boxing Federation Cruiserweight Champion, Bash Alli on Friday began a one-man protest at the pilot gate of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

This is to protest against the frustration being faced in the hands of the British High Commission and the United States Embassy in Abuja, in his quest to rewrite boxing history by becoming the oldest boxer to win a world title.

Addressing sportswriters in Abuja, Bash Alli said his action was tailored towards drawing the attention of President Umaru Yar'Adua to the hell Nigerians go through in the hands of the British High Commission and their United States counterpart in Abuja.

“I am a permanent resident of the United States of America. My green card expired on June 6, 2006, and my lawyer in America filed for an expedited green card reinstatement for me. They accepted the application and said I should apply for P-1 visa to expedite my entry into the US.

The P-1 visa was approved and on November 19, 2006; I took my copy to the Embassy only for them to tell me that my mission to US is in doubt; as I would not come back to Nigeria if I get to the US. This was after providing evidence to them that my mission to the US is to sign a contract for the fight and attend a world press conference."

The world champion said the British High Commission refused to issue him visa despite providing letters from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 20 newspapers wrote on the fight, including letters of sanction of the fight from WBF and IBU among others, they still refused to issue the visa saying that I failed to provide satisfactory evidence of my financial situation and ability to fund my trip and that; my Bank PHB statement with a balance of $93,000.00 was not original and could be scanned.”

He said that both countries turned down his request because they would not want a Nigerian to re- write the boxing history at the expense of American Joe Bugner who won his title at the age of 48 years, 110 days. While the British Commission wants him to be stripped of the title, so that an American and Briton can vie for the vacant title.