Hyderabad, August 10: A day after England pulled out of the World Badminton Championships citing security concerns, top players Monday expressed confidence in the security arrangements made by the organising committee.
World No.3 Peter Gade of Denmark blasted the English team management for taking such a huge step based entirely on inaccurate media reports.
“Risk can be anywhere in the world and it is a shame that England had to go back home. It’s their personal decision and we can’t comment much. Players were a bit worried with media reports claiming terror attack. We have full faith in the world body and India that they will take care of the safety of the players,” Gade said.
England team officials Monday defended their decision to pull out from the World Badminton Championships in Hyderabad, claiming that the security was “very lax” and they have not over-reacted by flying back home.
Top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia refuted the allegations of the England team and said that India provided the best possible security.
“We do not have any security concerns. India have done whatever was possible,” Chong Wei said.
Malaysian coach Misbun Sidek said: “Security is not a problem at all. There is large number of security presence and we do not have any issues.”
The Netherlands’ Dicky Palyama also laughed off when asked about security concerns.
“I will be happy if my coach decides to leave and I don’t have to play,” he quipped.
—IANS