No concern for World Badminton C’ship: Chidambaram

Home Minister confirmed that World Badminton C’ship will take place in Hyderabad.

Zeenews Bureau

Hyderabad: Home Minister P Chidambaram confirmed that World Badminton Championship will take place in Hyderabad under complete security and there was no need for any apprehension regarding the event. "There is no specific information that points to any imminent threat to the badminton championship in Hyderabad. Nevertheless, the state police has taken all measures necessary to fully secure the tournament and ensure the safety of every player," Chidambaram said. Earlier, Andhra Pradesh police have denied any information regarding the reported terror threat to World Badminton Championship site at Hyderabad’s GMC Balayogi Stadium. State police spokesman and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) A K Khan told media today that they did not have any specific report of terror threat in any part of the city. Sleuths of the Intelligence Bureau visited the stadium as well as the badminton academy being run by player-turned-coach Pullela Gopichand at Gachchibowli on Saturday to take stock of the situation and alert the organisers over the possible threat from the LeT. The Badminton Association of India confirmed the visit by Intelligence Bureau sleuths though the Cyberabad police, under whose jurisdiction the event is being held, remained tight-lipped. On Friday a terror alert was sounded for the World Badminton Championship site at GMC Balayogi Stadium from August 10 to 16, with the shadow of the dreaded Lashkar-e-Taiba looming over the tournament.