Hosts fear more team exits after England pull out amid security fear

With England backing out, the 2009 World Badminton Championships could not have got off to a more bitter start.

Their team manager cited the LET threat to foreign players as the reason for the withdrawal. But local officials here are scoffing at that idea. One BAI official, who didn't want to named, was furious: "Why do they have to behave like this? They just phoned and said they are going back as they are afraid of the threat. We tried to reason but they were not willing to listen. It's a blow to the championships. We wonder if other European nations may follow."

Fortunately, other foreign players are not bothered about the so-called threat. "We have not found any reason to withdraw and are very happy with the security. We are enjoying ourselves. I'm looking forward to winning here as this is one title that I want dearly," said Denmark's stalwart Peter Gade.

However, some Indian officials are blaming the media for England's pull-out.

One of them asked: "Why did some newspapers and news channels play up the story so much? It was just a routine statement from an IB official, who came to check things here. Since the media blew it up, some teams felt concerned and the English read too much into it. "This means a headache as far as the draw is concerned as their players will have to be scratched off and walkovers declared. But the draw cannot be changed at this stage."

India's Chetan Anand takes on Ji Hoon Hong of Koreau00a0 today.

"I have not played him before but I've seen him on circuit for the last two years. I have to be at my best. I have been training hard at the Padukone Academy and this is the fittest I have been," said Anand.