RABAH YOUSIF has revealed a debacle over his visa, as a result of a home visit to Sudan, left him scrambling around the final weeks of his spring preparation.
Rabah Yousif: had visa issues disrupt the beginning of his outdoor season
MARK SHEARMAN
The Sudanese-born Brit returned back to his native country to visit family after the end of his 2015 season which saw him reach the World Championship final for the 400m, where he finished sixth and pick up a bronze in the 4x400m relay, but encountered difficulties with his visa when preparing to fly out to Florida for a British training camp in March.
New laws required Yousif to apply for another visa as a result of having travelled back to Sudan – something he didn’t do – and this resulted in the 29-year-old being barred from flying.
Yousif, who was ready to compete at the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational, said: “I was actually very close to crying. I was very excited. I had everything planned. My races had been planned. I blame the embassy for not letting me fly. I turn up at the airport and they said to me I’m not going to be flying today so I took my bags back.”