BWF concerned over Austrians pulling out without informing it

Amit Kumar Das

Hyderabad, Aug 13 (PTI) A miffed Badminton World
Federation Thursday said it was a matter of concern that
Austrian shuttlers have pulled out of the World Championships
here without consulting the world body.

BWF COO Thomas Lund said team managers are taking
decisions without proper information and consultation with it
on any matter, including on security.

"It is a matter of concern that team managers are not
consulting us. They should come to us and tell us if they have
any concern. They should have asked us about the security and
got the proper information," Lund said at a press conference
here.

Two Austrian players -- Juergen Koch and Peter Zauner,
who were supposed to participate in the men's doubles event,
pulled out of event yesterday without informing the
organisers.

Asked when the BWF came to know about the Austrian
players' decision, Thomas said, "We received an email from one
of the players on Monday night or Tuesday morning. The email
talked about the newspaper report, security, swine
flu but nothing in specific. There has not been any official
statement so far.

"It is a sorry thing that they decided to go," he added.

Thomas, however, ruled out any penalty by way of fine on
the Austrian players except for the normal withdrawal fee.

"We haven't fined England and we are not going to fine
the Austrian players. Its would be just the basic withdrawal
fee. We don't have any guidelines to take action in such a
case," he said.

"It is an individual decision and BWF is not going to
interfere in their personal decision," he said.

Thomas regretted the elite event had an unusual start but
refused to blame India for it.

"We had a very unusual start to the tournament but its
not that India is to blamed for it. We would have to do some
evaluation after the event is over," he said.

He said if any player or team feels insecure on the
Independence day, they should avoid public places.

"We would ask the players and everybody to avoid public
places and if you are worried stay within the secured area."
PTI ATK
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