Chennai: The Mumbai terror attacks claimed one more sporting event with the World Squash Doubles championship, which was to held here from December 15, being postponed due to security concerns by the visiting teams.
Squash Australia withdrew its team from the event following an advice from their High Commission and fearing more such pull outs, the World Squash Federation (WSF) decided to postpone the event.
George Mieras, Director of WSF Championships Committee, discussed the matter with the Management Committee of WSF before postponing the tournament.
"I consulted with the Management Committee of WSF who told me to act to put first and foremost the safety of all players entered.
"My sad but now inevitable conclusion is to advise you that we must not go ahead at this time in Chennai," Mieras wrote in his letter to WSF President N Ramachandran.
"The Championships Committee will seek in conjunction with SRFI to find a suitable date to reschedule the Doubles during 2009," Mieras added.
Following the attacks in Mumbai, England cricket team returned home abandoning the last two ODIs and there is a cloud of doubt over the Test series as well.
Meanwhlie, Mieras said despite his reassurance, Squash Australia went by the advice from their High Commission and decided not to travel to Chennai.
"Australia therefore withdrew their players last night. It seems quite clear to me that other High Commissions are likely to give the same advice and it is not appropriate for me to counter this. Also, more withdrawals would clearly reduce the value of the event to less than proper World Championship status."
