WORLDS – Team England decides to go home after Security threats
The first big story of these World Championships is the massive withdrawal from Team England after the latter were concerned for the safety of their players.
The event hasn’t started yet but already, one big news items will be shortly everywhere in the local press: Team England has decided to go back home before the kick-off of the event, due to the threats over the Championships. A recent story in the local press mentioned possible threats targeting the World Badminton Championships but BWF officials and organizers held a press conference immediately afterward, reassuring all teams that all measures had been taken to ensure players' safety. The local police commissioner was quoted as saying that there were no specific threats, but normal routine checks before the events.
Team England has nevertheless decided to head back home, as confirmed during the managers' meeting held in the ISTA Hotel in Hyderabad, on Sunday afternoon. According to the latest news, the teams from Scotland and Wales had decided to stay in India. The decision took effect quickly as the English were on their way back to Singapore on Sunday evening – the journey had already started out badly for the Europeans, who had seen their flight cancelled on Friday and had to leave the next morning at 6AM.
Adrian Christy, Chief Executive of Badminton England, said: "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.
“We are extremely grateful for the speed in which the BWF and the Organising Committee reacted to the concerns following the threat. 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.
“We have also listened to the advice from the Foreign Office and British High Commission. We have been in constant dialogue with them over the past couple of days. The conclusion is that safety is of paramount importance and therefore, with great regret, the team will be returning home immediately."
Ian Moss, the England Performance Director, said: “It is a disappointing outcome, especially after we had enjoyed a very good preparation at our holding camp in Doha, Qatar, last week. Our athletes were extremely well prepared for these Championships but, at the end of the day, personal safety must take priority over performance. This was a unanimous squad decision and is not reflective of the efforts made by the Organising Committee to create the safest environment possible for all athletes.”
For Peter Gade, Denmark’s top men’s singles player, the threats are a concern but so far, he and his teammates have tried to keep focussed on something else. "At the moment it’s all very quiet and calm here and of course all the Danish players are worried but also relaxed about it. Today there will be a managers' meeting and updates on the situation.”
The English team was eyeing good performances in mixed and men’s doubles mainly, with Clark/Kellogg and Robertson/Clark, while Rajiv Ouseph and Andrew Smith were involved in the men’s singles. A bad birthday for Robert Adcock who was to celebrate in Indian style. These six, along with Gabby White and Jenny Wallwork, are all now on their way back to England via Singapore.
Source:
http://www.badzine.info/index.php/n...ecides-to-go-home-after-security-threats.html
...And the first matches will start in several hours...Wow, such a sudden move for the organizing committee..
and anyway Clark/Robertson were in form and would have fancied their chances, especially with the draw slightly weakened. I think it's a shame, particularly for the players as tournaments like this in this format with the bigger draw don't come around too often, and for them to have prepared for months and even actually fly out for a such huge tournament, only to have to fly back on the the day before it's due to start surely must be disappointing.