Date:23/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/23/stories/2007092360601600.htm

Sport - Badminton

Indian Open cancelled

HYDERABAD: The $150,000 prize money Indian Open badminton tournament, scheduled to be held in January 2008, stands cancelled, K.Ch. Punnaiah Choudhary, Joint Secretary, Badminton Association of India, said.

Choudhary told The Hindu that BAI would prefer fresh dates some time in the second half of 2008 for the Indian Open.

The tournament was originally scheduled for last month, but was put off due to security concerns expressed by some South Asian countries after the twin bomb blasts in the City.

“With the big names not very keen to turn up for the Indian Open even after the revised schedule, BAI thought it would not be prudent to host the event with only those players ranked above 30 in the World likely to take part,” he said. — Principal Correspondent