Squash World Championships in Kuala Lumpur and Cairo thrown into doubt by security threats

Leading squash events are in doubt due to security threats ©PSA

Next week's Professional Squash Association (PSA) Women's World Championships in Kuala Lumpur is "in doubt" due to undisclosed security concerns, while defending champions England are among those to have withdrawn from the World Men’s Squash Team Championships in Cairo later this month.

The former decision follows an emailed recommendation from tournament promoters, Hallmark Events Group, to postpone the event, due to take place in the Malaysian capital from December 11 to 18.

An independent consultant has been hired by the PSA, organisers of the Championships in conjunction with the Women's Squash Association, to conduct a security review.

They are expected to complete a risk assessment report by the end of this week, with a final decision to be made thereafter.

“The Professional Squash Association can confirm that the staging of the 2015 Women’s World Championship is currently subject to doubt following an emailed recommendation from tournament promoters, Hallmark Events Group, to postpone the event, due to take place in Kuala Lumpur from Dec 11-18, amid alleged security concerns,” today's statement said.

Malaysia was awarded the next three editions of the Women’s World Squash Championship in April, the first time this had been done in the event's history.

Malaysian superstar Nicol David had been hoping to compete on home courts in Kuala Lumpur ©Getty Images

The world's 23 top-ranked players in the world were due to compete, along with eight qualifiers and one wildcard.

Defending champions England are one of several countries, meanwhile, to have withdrawn from the World Men’s Squash Team Championships in Cairo, due to start on December 12.

Others include France, the team of world number one Gregory Gaultier, as well as Canada, Finland, Germany and United States,

England’s four-man squad of Nick Matthew, James Willstrop, Daryl Selby and Chris Simpson reached the decision to pull out of the Championships unanimously.

The decision follows the "recent wave of terrorist activity across the world resulting in the need for heightened security, with England are among those who believe travelling to Egypt at this time is too risky", said an PSA statement today explained.

The PSA admitted the event had been "thrown into chaos" by the decisions.

“Following the release of security plans for the event and subsequently a comprehensive report from independent security advisers, we have concluded that there is an inherent risk that has not been mitigated to an acceptable level," added England Squash chief executive, Keir Worth.

“We have been through a significant consultation with the players and support staff over recent weeks and we are extremely disappointed to be withdrawing, but the safety of our players and support staff remains our only priority and, at this time, we have real concerns.”

Fears over security at sporting event has tightened since last month's attacks in Paris, several of which occurred close to the Stade de France stadium during a football international ©Getty Images

The exact nature of concerns are not clear, but Egypt has faced an escalating security threat in recent years, with a bomb having exploded on a plane leaving the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for Russia last month, killing 224 people.

Islamic extremist groups have claimed responsibility.

Malaysia also deployed the tightest security around Kuala Lumpur in two decades last month amid the heightened terror threat following the devastating attacks in Paris.

The World Squash Federation are being updated by the PSA on the Women's Championships, but criticised the men's teams for their withdrawal.

"This morning a few nations have banded together and withdrawn from the WSF Men’s World Team Championship due to their unease about travelling to participate in the event in Cairo," a statement said.

"This is both disappointing and a little difficult to understand as there has been no security threat there, unlike for the people of other nations tragically targeted by extremists.

"Cairo is a city where it is ‘business as usual’, though to add reassurance for nations, a full range of protection measures are in place managed by the Egyptian Government, as reported to participating nations.

"The Championship is proceeding and the Egyptian Squash Federation have a great welcome in place for participating teams and look forward to seeing you there next week."