New Delhi - England has pulled out of the World Badminton Championships scheduled to begin in the Indian city of Hyderabad Monday citing a terrorist threat, news reports said. Badminton England Chief Executive Adrian Christy said in a statement the decision to pull out was taken after consulting the Foreign Office and British High Commission, PTI news agency reported.
"This was an incredibly tough decision and one we didn't take lightly. After the Olympic Games, this is the most prestigious Championships in the world but we were not prepared to risk the safety of our players, coaches and staff in what we felt could have been a very volatile environment," Christy said.
He said the England team would return home immediately.
"We have carefully considered the comments made by the local police authorities and we know that they have the best interest of all competitors in mind," Christy said.
India's federal Home Ministry said on Thursday intelligence sources indicated the Lashkar-e-Taiba group was planning terrorist strikes in the cities of New Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad ahead of Independence Day which falls on August 15.
"There is no specific information that points to any imminent threat to the badminton championship," Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram had said Saturday.
"I am satisfied that the World Badminton Championship will take place in complete security. No one needs to have any apprehensions on this score," Chidambaram said in a statement.
He the city police had taken all measures to fully secure the tournament and ensure the safety of every player.
Every vehicle and person going towards the championship venue is being checked, PTI reported. Metal detectors have been installed at various entry points to the stadium. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads are also deployed.
At least 500 international players and officials are expected to attend the weeklong championship which is scheduled to end on August 16. Most participating teams had already reached the Indian city.
Ian Moss, England's performance director, said the shuttlers were disappointed as they prepared to leave India without taking part in the tournament.
"This was a unanimous squad decision and is not reflective of the efforts made by the Organizing Committee to create the safest environment possible for all athletes," he said.
The England squad included singles players Andrew Smith and Rajiv Ouseph besides Anthony Clark, Nathan Robertson, Chris Adcock, Donna Kellogg, Gabby White and Jenny Wallwork who were scheduled to take part in doubles.
India has blamed the Lashkar-e-Taiba for most major terrorist attacks in the country in the recent past including the November attack in financial hub Mumbai in which more than 160 people were killed.
