World badminton body unhappy with players pulling out on their own

HYDERABAD - After two Austrian players pulled out of the World Badminton Championships, citing apprehensions over security, the sport’s governing body Thursday expressed concern that team managers and players are taking decisions arbitrarily without seeking its advice on such a crucial matter.

“It is a matter of concern that team managers and players are not consulting us or seeking advice. We have issued guidelines that if there is any concern they should come to us and we will share whatever security information we have,” said Badminton World Federation (BWF) chief operating officer Thomas Lund at an official briefing here.

Austrian players Juergen Koch and Peter Zauner left India early Tuesday and later sent an e-mail to BWF saying that they were not feeling secure and had taken advice “from their embassy and Ministry of foreign affairs.”

Another Austrian player Michael Lahnsteiner and a coach, however, preferred to stay on.

After the incident was first reported by IANS, BWF issued a press statement late Wednesday night, saying that they “regret their (players) decision, but it is the individual judgement of the players.”

“The BWF has had no direct contact with the players or have had any requests from the Austrian team to get additional information about the level of security provided,” the statement said.

“BWF is not aware of of any official warning or assessment of higher threat levels from the Austrian embassy. The latest specific statement regarding India from Austria was released July 9,” the statement added.

“In this case the team manager did not attend the meeting and we received a mail from one of the players later citing many reasons which include embassy advice, security, England pulling out– it was a combination of things,” said Thomas, who was grilled by the media for not informing them on the day of their withdrawal.

Asked when was the mail received by the BWF, Thomas said: “I am not exactly sure but most probably it was after they left.”

“We cannot convince anyone to stay here, we are just sharing information from reliable sources,” he said.

Asked whether security will be beefed up in view of Independence day, Thomas said: “Normal security measures are in place right from the start of the tournament. We have asked the players not to go to any public place if there are any worries.”

Thomas, however, said the two Austrian players would not face any punitive action or fine.

“The circumstances are different after the terror threat report. They will have to pay the withdrawal money, but there is no provision of any fine.”

Thomas also said India as a hosts should not be blamed for it.

“I do not think that the host organisation should be blamed here. The security arrangements are adequate,” said Thomas while adding they are relieved that the test results of the Malaysian coach for swine flu has come negative.

“However the precautionary health measures at the venue and the hotels will continue,” he said.