England pullout will not affect CWG: IOA

New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general Randhir Singh on Monday dismissed fears that England team’s withdrawal from the World Badminton Championships would affect Commonwealth Games scheduled here next year.

England on Sunday pulled out from the World Badminton that began in Hyderabad Monday, following a media report of a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist threat even as police clarified there was no such specific intelligence. Badminton England in a press conference Monday afternoon in London defended their decision to fly back, and claimed the security at the venue was “very lax”. Randhir, who is also the vice-chairman of the 2010 Commonwealth Games organising committee, insisted that adequate measures were taken to ensure the safety of the players at the World Badminton Championships. “The England team’s withdrawal is not going to affect the Commonwealth Games in any way. The security fear was completely their perception and should not be generalised. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) president has expressed his satisfaction over the security measures,” Singh told reporters. In May, the Australian Davis Cup team had refused to travel to Chennai to play in the crucial third round Davis Cup tie against India citing security concerns. However, later that month, Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite visited India and returned satisfied after being assured of a top-class security for the Games that begins in 2010 October. “Then Australia might have pulled out of the Davis Cup but now they want to come. I can assure you that Australia will be here for the Games,” Singh said. “The terror attacks is not an India specific problem. It has been happening all over the world.” IANS