Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra’s coach’s passport was stolen in Cologne, Germany, as the duo was travelling to Rio de Janeiro for the ISSF World Cup, a test event for the upcoming Olympics.
The tournament, starting Friday, assumes significance as the shooters will be competing at the same venue which will host the events during Olympics and will get a feel of it.
Abhinav, who was stranded in Germany with his team as his coach’s passport had got stolen, sought external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s intervention into the matter.
Bindra tweeted out the incident, writing to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and requesting for help.
@SushmaSwaraj 1/2 Ma’am my coaches passport is stolen in Cologne and need assistance. We are on our way to Rio for the pre Olympics
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj and are stuck. Need your help in order to secure a new travel document and Brazil visa to be able to compete successfully. 2/2
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj would be grateful if some immediate help could be provided. Thank you so much
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
Taking note of the issue, Sushma then contacted India’s envoy to Germany Gurjit Singh to help the ace shooter.
@Abhinav_Bindra @SushmaSwaraj
Mr Bindra. Please tell me the problem. We will help you. Ambassador Gurjit Singh— IndianAmb in Germany (@AmbGurjitSingh) April 9, 2016
Sushma then politely asked him to return the favour by winning Gold for India.
@SushmaSwaraj @AmbGurjitSingh with your good wishes ma’am. Will do my best and will not leave any stone unturned in this endeavor
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
As the matter got resolved, Abhinav thanked the minister and the ambassador for the swift action.
My gratitude to @SushmaSwaraj and @AmbGurjitSingh for intervening and working towards getting things done
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 9, 2016
Eventually, all was sorted and the shooter and his coach went on to Brazil as planned. The minister returned for a final tweet – to announce that all was well and make sure Mr Bindra remembers their deal.
@SushmaSwaraj @AmbGurjitSingh yes ma'am with every ones good wishes. Thank you again for everything.
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 10, 2016
