Kuala Lumpur, May 27: The men's junior World Basketball Championships will be moved from Malaysia because of SARS fears, officials in the Southeast Asian country said today. The International Basketball Federation's central board decided at a weekend meeting in Puerto Rico to shift the July 10-20 tournament to Greece after considering a recommendation to move the event, said Yeoh Choo Hock, secretary of the Malaysian Basketball Association. "FIBA have asked us to allow the tournament to be moved because of concerns over SARS," Yeoh was quoted as saying in the 'Star' newspaper today. "They have picked Greece as the new hosts and we have to accept this decision even though we have put a lot of time, energy and preparation toward the championship." Malaysian health authorities criticised the decision, saying Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is under control in Malaysia and the risk of infection for visitors is low. "To move a world competition out of Malaysia on grounds that there is a health risk is totally unwarranted," Ismail Merican, Malaysia's deputy director of health, told a news agency. "Sports bodies should not have unnecessary fears about Malaysia", he added. Bureau Report