The first casualty of the Saturday's bomb blasts in Hyderabad has been a high-profile sporting event, the Indian Badminton Open, where the world's top shuttlers were to take part.
A galaxy of badminton stars from across the world were to dazzle in Hyderabad from September 5. Saturday's blasts have meant that the $150,000 Indian Badminton Open has been put off to January.
National coach Pullela Gopichand told NDTV that the decision to postpone the event was taken after countries like Malaysia and Indonesia asked if their shuttlers would be safe in Hyderabad.
"The governments in their countries were a little anxious because we are also dealing with World and Olympic champions coming here. So there was definitely a concern,'' said P Gopichand, National badminton coach.
160 players from 16 countries were to take part in this event, which was the biggest-ever badminton tournament to be held in India both in terms of player participation and prize money.
The world number three, four and five were to come to Hyderabad for the event.
"A few double standards which they also follow. US Open happens despite whatever happens in New York and Washington. London bomb blasts happen but Wimbledon still takes place,'' said Gopichand.
The blasts have, however, not unnerved the organisers of the World Military Games, which will be held in Hyderabad in October.
But there is a question mark over the India-Australia one-dayer on the 5th of October with the Australian Players Association reportedly worried after the blasts.
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