What a bummer After Robertson-Clark won in the Singapore Open, I was looking forward to seeing how they'd do in the World. What a bummer.
UK Sports Minister regrets badminton pullout Press Trust of India, Monday August 24, 2009, New Delhi British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe called his Indian counterpart MS Gill to regret England's eleventh hour pullout from the World Badminton C'ship. A Sports Ministry official revealed to PTI that Sutcliffe called Gill on Friday to regret Badminton England's (BE) last minute withdrawal from the elite tournament because of security reasons and assured England's support when the capital hosts the Commonwealth Games next year. "During the event, Dr Gill was in Switzerland, so the UK Sports Minister did not get a chance to clarify his stance. On Friday, he called Dr Gill to regret after the English shuttlers went home from Hyderabad in a hurry," the official said. The BE had reacted gingerly to a Home Ministry security advisory and pulled out citing "specific" Lashkar-e-Toiba threat to the Aug 10-16 event. "During the conversation, Dr Gill told his counterpart that BE's decision to withdraw was uncalled for and they did not bother to discuss it with us before leaving the country. He also made it clear that neither the government nor the public here liked their action," the official said. Gill pointed out that England's security fears were unfounded since the event went on without any safety hiccup. "In his response, the UK Sports Minister assured full support for next year's Commonwealth Games," the official said.
Britain supports India after badminton pullout Reuters - Wednesday, August 26CHENNAI, India - Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has assured India of full support when they host the Commonwealth Games next year and expressed regret at pulling out of the badminton world championships, local media reported. Badminton England withdrew from the tournament in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad earlier this month, citing a "specific terrorist threat." BE had said their decision followed media reports of a specific Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist threat, referring to the Pakistan-based militant group blamed for November's attack on Mumbai in which 166 people were killed. Sutcliffe had called his Indian counterpart Manohar Singh Gill on Friday and assured him of England's support when Delhi hosts the Commonwealth Games next year, an Indian sports ministry official told Tuesday's Times of India. "On Friday, he called Dr Gill to regret after the English shuttlers went home Hyderabad in a hurry," the unnamed official said. "Dr Gill told his counterpart that BE's decision to withdraw was uncalled for. In his response, the UK sports minister assured full support for next year's Commonwealth Games." BE's chief Adrian Christy has also expressed regret at the pullout in a letter to India's badminton body, the Hindustan Times said in a separate report. "I am aware our decision is likely to have increased scrutiny on the championships and placed additional pressure on the authorities. For that, I apologise," Christy wrote. England's shuttlers were looking forward to visiting India in October 2010 for the Commonwealth Games, he added. The withdrawal shone the spotlight on South Asia's ability to host global events safely, and security concerns have heightened across the region since the Sri Lanka cricket team bus was ambushed in Lahore, Pakistan, in March. India remains nervous after the Mumbai attack.
Isn't that regret came a little too late? Was really upset by BE's decision. However, I can sort of understand where that worry came from especially after the England-born assistant coach of the Sri Lankan team, Paul Farbrace, got injured in Lahore, Pakistan. I guess BE just decided to be safe than sorry.
The security was probably the best of any BWF tournament. In Singapore, the security was meticulous in checking for drinks and food to maximise revenue for the F & B vendors even though they don't deserve any business because the quality's so bad. In Hyderabad, they did body checks, metal scans and there's security personnel everywhere. Every tournament bus was escorted by weapons of sufficient destruction. Even in the hotel, we still get checked coming back although they recognised us as guests. The point is, when there's a bomb threat, it's actually safer. Why would a group alert the authorities to be ready to inflict maximum damage on them should they have acted?
