India To Not To Take Part In Women’s World Team Squash Championship
India will not be a part of Women’s World team squash championship this year due to lack of preparation time" and "uncertainties" about travelling in the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Delhi, India:
India will not take part in the Women’s World Team Squash Championship scheduled in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 15 to 20 December because of “lack of preparation time” and “uncertainties” about travelling amid the COVID-19 global outbreak.
Former national coach and SRFI secretary general Cyrus Poncha informed in a press release that the decision was taken after consulting with the top players.
“Due to uncertainties regarding guidelines for the safe travel of our athletes and staff for national & international tournaments (yet to be obtained from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) & Sports Authority of India (SAI)), coupled with lack of preparation time and match readiness of athletes, and after consulting our top players, the SRFI has decided to withdraw from the championship.”
The SRFI requested the WSF for an extension of registration as the deadline was of 15 August which was denied as per the press release. “The SRFI is also waiting for guidelines from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) & Sports Authority of India (SAI) for international participation with top priority being safety and security of the players and staff for any international event,” it said.
“As the situation develops and improves, SRFI in consultation with the Sports Ministry and SAI will take necessary steps for resuming sport in the country in compliance with the SOPs that would be brought out along with any further development required for squash,” the governing body SRFI said.
The World Squash Forum (WSF) and Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) were continuously keeping a track on the situations which were arising because of the global health crisis.