Two Austrian doubles players joined the England squad in pulling out of the World Badminton Championships in India for security reasons, the sport's governing body said on Thursday.
Two Austrian doubles players joined the England squad in pulling out of the World Badminton Championships in India for security reasons, the sport's governing body said on Thursday.
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The Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed media reports that Juergen Koch and Peter Zauner had flown home ahead of their second-round match against the sixth-seeded Danish pair of Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen.
"The two players left Hyderabad stating that they did not feel secure, and that India's upcoming Independence Day (on Saturday) together with the English team leaving intensified their bad feeling," the BWF statement said.
"The Austrian players state that they have taken advice from their embassy and ministry of foreign affairs."
Independence Day celebrations in India are widely viewed as a possible target for militant attacks, and security has been tightened across the country ahead of Saturday.
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| India's Saina Nehwal is the star attraction at the ongoing World Badminton Championships in Hyderabad |
Badminton's governing body said an Austrian singles player, Michael Lahnsteiner, and a coach stayed back to take part in the championships.
"The withdrawal has no influence on the BWF's assessment of the security situation," its statement said.
England's squad withdrew from the championships on Monday following media reports of a militant threat to the tournament, although the Indian government denied it had issued any warning.
On returning to England, squad members said they were not satisfied with the level of security for the championships.
The perceived risk of foreign sports stars being targeted in South Asia has increased since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan in March.
Six policemen and two civilians were killed and seven Sri Lankan squad members were wounded in the assault as the team travelled to a Test match.
Militant attacks in Mumbai last November that killed 166 people have also added to anxiety about teams travelling to India.
India is due to host the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October next year.
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