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Norman Da Costa wrote the following report about Canada’s Rizwan Cheema a Special to the Star - Key player in limbo for Cup qualifying - Refugee needs travel document to take part.
Canada's hopes of qualifying for its third straight World Cup cricket tournament are being held up by red tape.
The country's top all-rounder, Rizwan Cheema of Toronto, described as the team's "natural treasure" by Cricket Canada president Ben Sennik, will be left off the team for the 18-nation qualifier in South Africa in April unless he receives a travel document from Canada's immigration department.
Cheema, who came to Canada as a refugee claimant from Pakistan in 2001, is awaiting landed immigrant status.
Sennik wrote to Jason Kenney, the minister of citizenship and immigration, on Nov. 3, 2008, requesting that Cheema be provided with the document so he can join the team for warm-up matches in Sri Lanka and India next month in preparation for the qualifiers.
But so far Cricket Canada hasn't received a reply from the minister's office regarding the application for the star player.
"We are appealing to the minister to grant Cheema the papers on humanitarian and compassionate grounds as his presence on the team will benefit Canada on the international sporting scene," said Toronto lawyer Harry Mann, who is handling Cheema's affairs on behalf of Cricket Canada.
Peggy Anderson, an assistant to Kenney at his riding office in Calgary, said she was aware of Cricket Canada's request for the player, adding that "they should really be contacting their own MPs over the matter. I can't comment further."
Cheema arrived in Canada from the Punjab region in Pakistan and was granted asylum that landed him a work permit.
Cheema said he left Pakistan fearing religious persecution.
"I belong to the Shia sect in the Punjab region and I felt my life was in danger," said the 30-year-old.
"I did not feel safe and decided to come to Canada. This is a big issue back home and there are many who belong to the Shia sect who have left Pakistan and claimed refugee status in Canada and elsewhere."
Cheema married a Canadian citizen last year and is now waiting for his inland spousal sponsorship papers to come through.
"It is my dream to play for the national team in the World Cup," Cheema said. "I think every player considers it an honor to represent their country."
Mann noted that the minister only intervenes in extraordinary cases to grant the travel document. However, he added, "We think this is an extraordinary case as the national team needs him."
Sennik added that Cricket Canada is prepared to post a bond with the government "as it is imperative that we have a player of his world-class caliber on the team if we want to qualify for a tournament that is viewed by millions.
"Our presence in the finals would help stimulate the growth of the game in the country."
The top four associate countries will not only qualify for the 2011 World Cup along with the 10 Test-playing nations but will also pick up funding from the International Cricket Council to finance local programs and international tours.
Canada is expected to battle for a spot in the finals with Kenya, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands, but Sennik believes it will be a monumental task without Cheema.
Cheema made his international debut for Canada in 2008 after a string of impressive batting performances in the local Toronto District Cricket Association and was an instant hit in international matches played against former World Cup champions at King City.
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