Chennai:
The Thomson Reuters survey ranked India as the most dangerous country in the world ahead of countries like Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan. The politicians vehemently denied the claim and rubbished the report. To support the claims of the report, in the most recent case, 17 men were charged with raping an 11-year-old girl in Chennai. Such horrific reports have brought a sense of fear in the minds of foreigners travelling to India.
Switzerland’s top junior girls’ squash player Ambre Allinckx have pulled out of the World Junior Squash Championship after Chennai was named its venue.
“Ambre Allinckx is our top-ranked women’s player. She couldn’t make it because her parents did not want. They have been reading reports on the internet about how unsafe India is for women and didn’t want to take the risk of sending their daughter over. However, we have not experienced any disturbance so far.” said Swiss coach Pascal Bhurin to The New Indian Express.
Teams from Iran, USA and Australia have also raised similar questions.
“We heard about such issues. So I prefer that my daughter stays with the team always.Her safety is the primary concern. It’s also because she isn’t familiar with the country or the language,”said Amir, father of Iranian player Niki.
“We always have somebody with us. When I travel to other countries like New Zealand, I go out and feel alright. Out here, we always have a guy with us,” said Australian player Alex Haydon.
In response to the report, the World Squash Federation’s chief executive Andrew Shelley said that the “The views and choice of every parent must be fully respected, However, there are over 250 players and officials from 28 countries, including a full squad from Switzerland. Like the WSF, they all have complete confidence with the security arrangements made by Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association at the Championship Hotel and playing venues to ensure the safety of the players at this event.”