Swiss squash champ refuses to travel to India for this reason

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NEW DELHI: In a huge embarrassment to India, Switzerland’s No. 1 junior squash player Ambre Allinckx skips the 2018 World Junior Squash Championships because her parents fear ‘India is unsafe for women’.

According to reports in the New Indian Expres, 16-year-old Allinckx’s parents did not want her to make a trip to India to participate in the tournament that is currently underway in Chennai because of safety concerns.

“Ambre Allinckx is our top-ranked women’s player. She couldn’t make it because her parents did not want. They have been reading reports on the internet about how unsafe India is for women and didn’t want to take the risk of sending their daughter over. However, we have not experienced any disturbance so far,” said Pascal Bhurin, coach of the Switzerland team.

There are also reports that teams from Iran, Australia and the United States of America too have been advised not to venture out alone and dress conservatively.

Andrew Shelley, Chief Executive, World Squash Federation (WSF) responded to the report too, he told TOI:

“Of course the views and choice of every parent must be fully respected. However, there are over 250 players and officials from 28 countries, including a full squad from Switzerland. Like the WSF, they all have complete confidence with the security arrangements made by Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association at the Championship Hotel and playing venues to ensure the safety of the players at this event.”

The incident sparked outrage on Twitter: