Australia has decided to withdraw its team from the World
International Doubles Squash Championships in Chennai from
December 15-20 because of security concerns following the Mumbai
terrorist attacks.
Squash Australia chief executive officer Gary O’Donnell said
he had made the decision reluctantly following advice from the
Australian Government and discussions with the Australian Consul in
Chennai.
“I have spoken to Australia’s Consul-General and Trade Commissioner
in Chennai,” O’Donnell said.
“He indicates they are operating on ‘high alert’, reinforced the
gravity of the situation and that several delegations planned over
the next few weeks have been cancelled.”
O’Donnell said the Australian women’s team, who are in Egypt at the
world teams championship, were “very uncomfortable” about travelling
to India.
“The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Kasey Brown and Donna
Urquhart were delayed in Bangkok en route to Cairo for many hours
because of the civil unrest,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell said the decision to withdraw from the event had not been
taken lightly as Australia are considered pioneers in modern squash
doubles and have a proud record at the event.
Australian players are also no strangers to playing in areas where
terrorism is a threat and often travel to Pakistan for tournaments.
“Lisa Camilleri was in Pakistan for a tournament earlier this year
when a devastating attack killed many people quite close to the
venue, but she opted to stay on and ended up winning the
tournament,” O’Donnell said.
“However, the scale of the recent Mumbai attacks and the stark
warning from the Australian Government left us with no option but to
withdraw.
“Our players’ safety must override all other considerations.”
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World Doubles Championships In India Postponed
WSF statement
The 2008 World International Doubles Squash Championships, due to
take place in Chennai, India, from 15-20 December, has today been
postponed by the World Squash Federation.
The decision was taken by WSF Championships Committee Director and
on-site Technical Director George Mieras, following consultation
with the WSF Management Committee and advice earlier given to the
Australian team by the country's High Commission in India 'not to
travel to Chennai'.
"Perhaps the rescheduling of the Test match between India and
England to Chennai starting 11th December might have increased the
prominence of Chennai - but it seems quite clear to me that other
High Commissions are likely to give the same advice and it is not
appropriate for us to counter this," said Mieras.
"We must clearly act to put first and foremost the safety of all
players entered," added Mieras. "The Championships Committee will
seek, in conjunction with Squash Rackets Federation of India, to
find a suitable date to reschedule the International Doubles during
2009."
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