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CAUSE for WORRY: The Maharashtra Badminton Association wants security for players visiting Patna for a championship, which begins on November 16

Parents from Maharashtra are wary of sending their children to sports competitions in north Indian states, fearing for their safety, following the ill will generated by the recent MNS-led anti-north Indian agitation.

The National Sub Junior Badminton Championship for the 13-16 age group starts on November 16 in Patna.

As the Indian Badminton Federation had fixed the venue last year, the Maharashtra Badminton Association (MBA) has asked for an assurance from Bihar authorities that the visiting sportspersons would be provided adequate security.

Pradeep Gandhe, president of MBA, said, "Players in the 13-16 age group are always accompanied by their parents. After the MNS-led violence, we made it a point to seek an assurance from the Bihar Badminton Association that our players would be provided security."

A rifle event scheduled yesterday for juniors in Guwahati was cancelled after the blasts in Assam on October 30. Parents of the participants had decided to fly by air instead of risking a train journey through Bihar.

Basawraj Ambekar, a parent, said, "Though it would have been costly, I had decided to fly my two daughters to the rifle event in Guwahati since the train passes through Bihar." Arjun Tile, a parent from Nashik, said, "Parents are worried about sending their kids to north India. I would still not stop my two daughters, as the sport of skating is part of their education. Moreover, I always make it a point to accompany my two daughters to national level competitions."

Paul Ashim, coach for the Central Railway water polo team, said, "The 20-odd students participating in an all- India inter-university aquatic championship last month would not leave the Andheri sports complex, where the event was held, fearing the violence.

Parents from Mumbai are mostly sending their kids by air if the competitions are in north India, and only if they are assured of security outside Mahara-shtra." Shishir Shinde, MNS spokesperson, said, he would not like to comment. "The media is creating an issue where none exists," Shinde said.