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Indigenous athlete may not compete in Hawaii after having US visa denied

Canoe athlete Nanda Baniwa (Reproduction/Social Networks)

June 14, 2024

08:06

Raisa Araújo – From Cenarium Agency

BELÉM (PA) – Indigenous canoe athlete Nanda Baniwa, 20, may miss out on the World Canoe Championships in Hawaii in August 2024 after having her visa denied by the American consulate. She is an athlete in a Polynesian Va’a canoe, the generic name given to a boat of Polynesian origin that has a second hull, which serves as a stabilizer.

Athletes wishing to take part in international sporting events in the United States need to obtain a P1 visa, a specialized temporary visa granted to internationally prominent athletes and artists, which allows these competitors to visit the United States to take part in high-level athletic competitions or internationally recognized artistic events.

Nanda applied for a B1/B2 business visa, which may have affected her approval. The athlete told CENARIUM AGENCY that she didn’t have the necessary guidance from the Brazilian Va’a Confederation.

Nanda Baniwa is a Va’a canoeing athlete and trains in Pará (Reproduction/Social Networks)

“With the support of some of the project’s sponsors, we paid a broker who helped us with everything. The Confederation only sent us a letter of invitation to take with us to the interview”, said the Baniwa indigenous woman.

Support for the athlete

In a statement, the Brazilian Va’a Confederation (CBVAA) explained that it has been providing guidance and assistance to athletes qualified for the 2024 World Sprint Championships in Hilo, Hawaii, since the qualifying event in October 2023.

“So far, we’ve issued 101 athletes with the official document stating that the athlete has qualified and is in good standing with the CBVA’A to take part in the championship. In the case of Fernanda Fidelis, the same document was issued less than 24 hours after her request. We emphasize that the documents for travel and entry into the country, such as the visa, are not the responsibility of the confederation and we have no management over the acceptance of American visas”, says an excerpt from the note.

The US Embassy was contacted by CENARIUM and informed that the US Privacy Act prevents them from disclosing information about specific visa cases.

Polynesian canoe

Nanda is of Baniwa origin, from an indigenous community on the border between Amazonas and Colombia. She is a member of the Marear Canoeing team at the Marine Club, in Belém do Pará, where she currently lives and trains on the Guamá River, an important river in the Amazon.

The athlete is part of the canoeing team from Rio de Janeiro, called Esquilo Esporte, but trains in Pará with the support of the Marear team, which works with the Koru project aimed at young talents in the sport.

“My coach [from Rioe Janeiro] gives me regular training sessions to apply here on the river [Guamá], where I train. Training is from Monday to Saturday and Ricardo Boto is the owner of t dhe company, who accompanies me in training and gives me support”, explained Nanda.

Gaining more and more popularity in Pará, this sport uses a Polynesian-style canoe, especially popular in Tahiti, where several championships are held every year. Nanda, who competed there in 2023, has already won more than ten titles in the sport. She is due to take part in the World Championships in August this year, in Hawaii, in the Women’s Open 1500 meter category, where six people steer the canoe.