July World Juniors in Jeopardy as WSF Nixes Cairo Location Due to Safety Concerns Statement from WSF Championships Committee Chairman Hugo Hannes
March 20, 2015
During
the last few weeks the WSF has been reviewing and evaluating the World
Junior Championships in Cairo, reading and listening to the many
comments and concerns from our Member National Federations.
Today the Board has come to the conclusion that, due to the perception
of some parents about the extreme radicalism in the region – not
specific to Egypt and heightened by the tragic killing of tourists in
Tunisia – and because of the pressure of those parents on their
Federation, it is an inappropriate time for teams of youngsters to
travel to Egypt to compete in the World Junior Championships in Cairo
from 25 July – 4 August.
So the Championships will be relocated if possible.
The decision to cancel the event in Cairo has been taken with
reluctance but, based upon prevailing circumstances, we feel it is the
prudent approach.
While appreciating and thanking the Egyptian Squash Federation for all
their efforts in preparing for the event, the WSF hopes that the
Egyptian Squash Federation understands the need to have the event
relocated.
The probable intention of a number of countries not to send their
players and teams would have affected the World Championships
enormously and would not have been good for squash in general nor for
the Egyptian Squash Federation in particular. It is hoped that WSF will
be able to return to the country with another Championship in the not
too distant future.
At this time WSF is encouraging any prospective hosts, who may be able
to maintain the dates and participating nation cost levels, to let us
know of their interest in the event.
On behalf of the Executive Board,
Hugo Hannes
WSF Championships Committee – Chairman
