New Delhi: India's promising tennis talent Sania Mirza has been placed under quarantine at the Mumbai airport on her return from a tournament in Nigeria as she had not taken vaccination against yellow fever before her departure for the African nation.

As a result, the Busan Asiad mixed doubles bronze medallist will not be able to join the junior Indian team for the Malaysian leg of four Grade 1 tournaments beginning March 16. She will now join the team for the last three weeks in Thailand, Phillipines and Japan.

As per UN health laws, India has made it mandatory for those visiting most countries in Africa, where yellow fever is prevalent, to take the 'yellow shot'. Even the Indian cricket team and journalists covering the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya had taken the vaccination prior to their departure.

However, the 16-year old Sania did not take the shot and has been placed under observation in Mumbai for a week. A top All India Tennis Association (AITA) official confirmed the incident and said this was probably due to a communication gap.

PTI