Badminton worlds postponed

UK Sport sees no reason to postpone the event

Badminton's world championships, set for Birmingham from 12-18 May, have been postponed due to the respiratory disease Sars.

A total of 337 players from 48 countries, including many in China and other Asian countries, had been entered for the tournament, scheduled for 12-18 May.

International Badminton Federation (IBF) chief executive Neil Cameron said: "It's extremely regrettable that the World Championships has had to be called off at this late stage.

"The Executive Board clearly felt that this is the proper decision to take, because they were concerned that there would still be a risk to everyone involved, and because of their and others' continued fears regarding Sars.

It is difficult to understand quite why it [Sars] should have led to the postponement of this event

John Scott, UK Sport

"This is despite the costs that will undoubtedly arise for the IBF and many of its members. This is primarily a health issue, and that must come first."

But the decision, which came a day after the Department of Health gave the all clear for the event, has dismayed UK Sport chiefs.

"Whilst I fully appreciate the serious impact of Sars worldwide, it is difficult to understand quite why it should have led to the postponement of this event," said John Scott, UK Sport's Director of International Relations and Major Events.

"The World Health Organisation has acted swiftly to put relevant controls in place and competitors from Sars-affected nations have been placed in isolation for some time.

"The UK has worked hard to overcome all the concerns that the IBF rightly had about running the tournament at this time and it is difficult to see that any significant obstacles remain.

"We are disappointed for everyone who has worked tirelessly to put on a truly spectacular event. We are disappointed for the City of Birmingham, which was looking forward to hosting the event with pride.

"And we are especially disappointed for the public who had already bought tickets and were eagerly anticipating another helping of sport at its best, here in the UK."