This decision was taken by the Professional Squash Association (PSA), the sport's international governing body, two days ago, after it found that holding the event in Bangalore was eroding the value of sponsors Mahindra & Mahindra, without eliminating entirely the threat to players' security.

Talking to The Indian Express from his office in Boston, United States, PSA Executive Director John Nimick said, ``We were concerned about the fact that Bangalore may not be a spectacular success the way Mumbai has been. I have to admit that the security of the players was also a point considered in shifting the venue to Doha. Our association with the supportive Mumbai fans has been truly memorable and it saddens us that we have to take the championship out of your great country.''

Nimick said that the PSA has not closed the doors on India for hosting future events. ``We will give Mahindras the chance to host the World Open. It may not be next year but certainly in the coming years,'' he said.

Nimick said that Qatar was the only choice before the PSA to hold the World Open at such a short notice. ``They have fixed galleries to hold about 4,000 spectators which also brings down the cost of hosting the championship,'' he expained.

``This is a win-win situation for all. Qatar Tennis & Squash Federation recently cancelled the 1998 Qatar International Squash Championships, and this created a unique opportunity to provide longtime PSA allies with a remarkable solution,'' he added.

Anand Mahindra, MD of Mahindra & Mahindra, endorsed the view: ``We have agreed for a change in the best interests of the game.''

The Mahindra World Open, to be held from November 29 to December 5, was relocated from Mumbai to Bangalore in May following threats from the Shiv Sena that Pakistani players would not be allowed to participate in the tournament.

``While Bangalore was selected because it is a more interactive and reactive city, it lacks the infrastructure to host an event of this magnitude,'' Anil Singh, chief of Procam, promoters of the event, told Indian Express

. Bangalore was found unsuitable because of the absence of playing arena and its incompatibility with television interests, Singh said. ``It was proving much costlier, and the event was losing the vibrancy it enjoyed in Mumbai,'' he added.

In April this year, Nimick had told the Indian Expresss there was no immediate threat of shifting the Mahindra World Open out of Mumbai. ``There are still eight months to go for the championship and we are hoping by that time tolerance and reason will prevail.''

And despite the upheavals that have followed, Nimick remains positive. ``Ali Al Fardan, President of the Qatar Federation, agreed without hesitation to provide the support budget required to host the event.''

The event will continue to be called the Mahindra World Open, despite the lower financial burden on the company. Procam also remain the promoters of the event.

``It is a tragic loss for India, but is in the best interests of the game and the players,'' Singh said. PSA president Rodney Eyles, the reigning World Open champion, agreed. ``The TV and media benefits of a Qatar-based World Open will be significant.''