ICC trying for easier Indian visa rules

The International Cricket Council is holding talks with the Indian government to ease visa restrictions for spectators entering the country to for the 2011 World Cup.

The International Cricket Council is holding talks with the Indian government to ease visa restrictions for spectators entering the country to for the 2011 World Cup.

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This was stated by the ICC Central Organising Committee (COC) after it met in Colombo on Friday to review the progress of the new cricket grounds in Sri Lanka and to check whether the security for the matches to be held here was in place.

“The COC discussed the possibility of visa variations for supporters entering India to watch World Cup. At present, only single entry visas are permitted for tourists to India but the COC is working with the Indian government in the hope that multiple entry visas will be made available for all supporters — except those from Pakistan — holding valid match tickets,” the ICC committee said.

After the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in November 2008, India has introduced stricter norms for foreigners entering the country. The biggest cricketing tournament is likely to lose money if the norms are not eased.