SOLOMON Islands young football striker, Raphael Leai is in Australia waiting for his visa approval before returning to Turkey for the trials with Turkey’s Alanyaspor Football club.
Rafa as commonly known by football fans and supporters returned home last week just for a few days and returned to Australia and wait whilst his visa is being sorted out.
Lea’i along with Henderson Eels agent David Houpere travelled to Turkey, Europe early this month to attend trials by Turkey’s Alanyaspor Football club.
However upon arrival in Istanbul the capital of Turkey, they were not allowed to enter Turkey due to a visa problem.
They were not able to be granted permission to enter Turkey since both of them have not acquired a stamp of a diplomatic Turkey’s visa on our passport.
The two were asked to return and apply for diploma visa in Canberra at Turkey’s embassy for a schengen permit Visa to Turkey.
Once all are being sorted, Rafa will travel by himself back to Turkey to meet with UEFA agent Tone Hrovatič in Antalya,Turkey.
Hrovatič is in consultation with the club sport Director Owner to reschedule the trial date for Raphael.
The Alanyaspor Football club has also sent their apology to Eels Football Club management and also the European Sub Agent for the hiccup.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
Newsroom, Honiara
