Marva Bernard - file
Three members of Jamaica's Under-21 netball team who were denied visas by the United States Embassy three weeks ago were granted visas by that organisation on Monday, following a successful appeal.
Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association, said on Monday that the girls are set to pick up their 'in transit' visas today.
"I am delighted and appreciative of all the efforts that went into us getting these visas for our girls," said Bernard. "They can now concentrate fully on preparing themselves for the World Championships without this issue hanging over their heads." The three players, who are all defenders, are Yanique Gordon, Sasha-Gay Lynch and Samantha White.
"I also must thank the United States Embassy for giving us this opportunity in granting us in transit visas to pass through the country and I can assure them that all our players will return home," Bernard said.
Bernard noted that after receiving the visas, the documents will have to be sent off to the New Zealand consulate in the United States, so that visas can be acquired to pass through that country.
The junior Sunshine Girls are scheduled to leave the island on August 6 for the World Youth Netball Championships, which will be held in the Cook Islands from August 10 to 20.
Among the favourites
The C. Lloyd Walker-coached team, which finished fourth at the last tournament in Florida, is drawn in Pool D alongside Malawi, Singapore and Papua New Guinea in the tournament. In the build-up to the championships, the Jamaicans, who are among the favourites to lift this year's title, defeated arch-rivals England 2-1 in a three-match series at the G.C. Foster College in St Catherine in April.
Walker said there is still a lot of work to be done but the girls are working overtime to improve on their performance.
"We are not ready for the Cook Islands but we are working very hard to get there. We are also injury free at the moment but we have a few challenges which we are still dealing with before the championships," said Walker.