In a surprising development, Dalai Lama’s visa for South Africa has been denied by the latter, preventing him to meet with other Nobel laureates.

The reason behind the rejection is the publicity that this would cause which could divert the attention from South Africa’s scheduled hosting of the World Cup next year. This was revealed by a spokesman the country’s President on Monday.

Thabo Masebe, a spokesman for President Kgalema Motlanthe, said that the South African government had not invited the Dalai Lama because it “would not be in the interests of South Africa.”

The Dalai Lama was invited to attend the Organizers of a Peace Conference, a gathering supported by the Nobel committee. Nobel laureates are expected to attend and discuss how soccer can fight xenophobia and racism.

Masebe stressed that the organizers did not consult with them with regards to inviting the Dalai Lama.

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