'Substantial security' in place for the event: BWF

Hyderabad:

The Badminton World Federation on Thursday regretted the pull out by two Austrian players of the on-going World Championship but said the organisers have put in place a "substantial security overlay" for the elite event.

Two Austrian players -- Juergen Koch and Peter Zauner, who were supposed to participate in the men's doubles event, pulled out of event on Wednesday without informing the organisers.

"The BWF obviously regret that the players have taken the decision to withdraw from the tournament, but accept that this decision is an individual judgment from each of the players," the world body said in a statement.

"The BWF have not had any direct contact with Austrian players or have had any requests from the Austrian team to get additional information about the level of security provided.

"The withdrawal has no influence on the BWF's assessment of the security situation, where the Cyberabad police continue to deliver a substantial security overlay," the statement added.

The BWF said it was not aware of any official warning from the Austrian embassy and the duo might have taken the decision to pull out feeling themselves insecure ahead of India's Independence Day.

"The two players left Hyderabad stating that they did not feel secure, and that the upcoming Independence Day together with the English team leaving intensified their bad feeling.

The Austrian players state that they have taken advice from their embassy and Ministry of foreign affairs," the BWF said.

"The BWF is not aware of any official warning or assessment of higher threat levels from the Austrian embassy.

The latest specific statement regarding India from Austria was released on July 9," it added.

The world body also informed that the Austrian team has not been attending any of the team managers meetings after the sudden pull out by the two players and have only been receiving information through written documents distributed to all the participating nations.

Although the Austrian doubles pair has left the country on security grounds, a singles player and coach is still in the city to participate in the tournament.