Abid and Tanveer's Visa Expenses

Abid Khan and Tanveer Hussain are snowshoe athletes from the Jammu Kashmir Province in India.  They have been training for the past two years for the upcoming World Snowshoe Championships in Saranac Lake on February 25.  On January 30, a day after an executive order regarding travel, they were denied visas at the US embassy in New Delhi—650 miles from their home-- “due to current (US) policy.”  With help from our federal representatives and local letter writing, the pair was given another chance to apply for a visa.  After taking time off from work and traveling back to New Delhi for a second time, Abid and Tanveer were today awarded visas and will travel to Saranac Lake next week.  These fellows have already expended thousands of dollars of their own money for this trip and will be taking over a week off from work.  They have families and it is financially difficult for them to make this trip.  The $1,500 will pay the cost of their second trip to New Delhi.  Added to this Gofundme effort, Saranac Lakers will be treating them to accommodations, courtesy of the Porcupine Inn, and some meals at local restaurants.  We, as a community, are pulling together in support of Abid and Tanveer, brothers in our world family.  Your support of these athletes, no matter how small, will be very much appreciated by these gentleman and the Adirondacks.  Thank you.