Canada shuttlers to stay on despite federation's advise

Hyderabad:

Badminton Canada has advised its shuttlers to pull out of the on-going World Badminton Championship before India's Independence Day citing security fears, but the national team has refused to obey the advisory and decided to stay back till the elite tournament was over.

"After having been in contact with officials and receiving information from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) and the RCMP, Badminton Canada is recommending, as a precautionary measure, that Canada's delegation at the World Championships should depart India prior to their Independence Day, which is August 15th," Badminton Canada said on its website.

"Canadians travelling to India should be particularly vigilant in the lead up to and on days of national significance, as militants have used such occasions to mount attacks in the past," the website stated.

"Canadians are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, follow the advice of local authorities, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to increase their personal security," it added.

Canada chief coach Ram Nayyar said although he is aware of their federation's advice, the team members don't feel any security threat and have decided to stay back till the event gets over.

"It is the same advisory that was sent to us six months back and its nothing new. We are in touch with Badminton Canada, we speak over the phone everyday and they enquire about our concerns," India-born Nayyar said.

"They have asked us to be extra vigilant in the wake of the Independence Day and keep a tab of the happenings around. But we don't have any concerns about security and four of the players who are with me would leave after the tournament.

"Some athletes who had finished their matches have already gone and one or two are in Rajasthan for a visit. I was born in this country and I don't feel insecure," he added. However, International Badminton Federation (BWF) COO Thomas Lund said they are unaware of any such development but advised the teams to consult the world body before taking any decision.

"We are not aware of any such development, it's news to me. My advice to the teams or any player would be to consult the BWF and get the relevant information and then take a decision," he said.

Earlier, England team had made an eleventh hour announcement of their withdrawal from the tournament citing security concerns following reports of terror threat in the wake of the hosts nation's 63rd Independence day.

It was followed by two Austrian players sneaking out of the country yesterday without informing the organisers citing similar concerns, coupled with swine flu scare.