Top Indian squash players, including Dipilka Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal, have decided not to take part in the Asian Championships beginning on May 1, in Islamabad, citing the current security situation in Pakistan.
Ghosal and Dipilka told PTI that the players have collectively taken the decision to give the continental tournament a miss and they have already informed the Squash Rackets Federation of India about this.
“We had decided it in February that we will not be going in Pakistan for the Championship as security remains a concern for us. We have conveyed our decision to SRFI,” Ghosal said.
“A lot of things have happened, which prompted us to take this decision, like beheading of our soldiers (at the LoC) and the upcoming general elections in Pakistan. It’s an unanimous decision taken by Joshana Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal and me,” he said.
Not safe
“Pakistan is not a safe country to tour at this point of time. I would have loved to play in the Championship had it been held somewhere else,” said Ghosal who is ranked 19th in the world.
World number one woman player Nicol David of Malaysia has also decided not to take part in the tournament.
