KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 — Financial issues was the main reason why the event organiser for the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Women’s World Championships wanted to postpone the event, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has revealed.
Khairy said today that the event organiser also demanded RM3.5 million and sponsorship, which his ministry refused.
“In an email response, they admitted on their answers to me...they are facing financial problems. They said large part of the reason why they decided to postpone the tournament is because of sponsorship. They also asked for RM3.5 million for private security arrangement as well,” Khairy said at a news conference this morning.
“This is preposterous, absolutely preposterous. I do not appreciate being blackmailed and I am not going to be held blackmail by some international event organiser.”
It was reported that the tournament, scheduled to be held at Bukit Jalil and KLCC from December 11 to 18, was thrown into uncertainty after promoters raised a red flag over security issues.
The Inspector-General of Police has rubbished fears of a security risk and was reported as saying that there were no “evidence to suggest any danger”.
