NEW DELHI, Aug 9 India is feverishly preparing to host next year's prestigious Commonwealth Games but the sudden and unexpected refusal of the English team to take part in the World Badminton Championship beginning in the southern city of Hyderabad on Monday is expected to recast its security strategy for future sports events.

United News of India said that despite assurances from Home Minister P. Chidambaram of providing fool-proof security to the participating nations, England decided to pull out of the championships, citing security reasons.

The eight-member squad, which had already arrived in India, decided against playing in the seven-day tourney slated to be held at Gatchibowli from Aug 10 to 16, following reports of threats by extremist groups, UNI said.

The Indian government had expressed its inability to ensure the security for players and spectators at this year's IPL cricket tournament because its paramilitary forces were committed to the month-long April-May elections. The tournament was moved to South Africa.

Meanwhile, Badminton England chief executive Adrian

Christy said pulling out from the tournament was “an incredibly tough decision”.

“After the Olympic Games, this is the most prestigious championships in the world but we were not prepared to risk the safety of our players, coaches and staff in what we felt could have been a very volatile environment,” he added.

Mr Christy claimed that after taking advice from the Foreign Office and British High Commission, Badminton England decided against playing the tournament, UNI said. Earlier in March, two of England's top badminton players withdrew from the India Open citing security concerns, the news agency said.

Top-ranked badminton players are scheduled to take part in the World Championships and over 200 players from all over the world and their support staff have already arrived.

Describing England's last-minute pullout from the tournament as unfortunate, Indian reports quoted the Badminton World Federation as insisting that there was no specific threat to the event starting on Monday. BWF Chief Operating Officer Thomas Lund said he tried to convince the English team about the security situation but it had already decided to pull out by then.

“There is no specific threat to the championship from anywhere. But of course the English team felt otherwise. It is unfortunate but we should respect their decision,” Lund told reporters in Hyderabad.

India's foreign ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash made the same point, saying there was no cause for concern as adequate protective measures had been taken for the tournament. “All precautions have been taken. All necessary and adequate security measures are in place. There is no cause for concern,” Mr Prakash was quoted as commenting on England's decision.

Fears that terrorists would target sport events acquired urgency after the Sri Lankan cricket team was ambushed by suspected extremists in Lahore. Indian and Pakistani prime ministers last month agreed for the first time to exchange real time intelligence between their security agencies to thwart future attacks.

A senior official of the Indian Home Ministry expressed regret at England's decision. The city has been under the scanner for extremist attacks. “This is unfortunate and an over-reaction,” Home Secretary G.K. Pillai told PTI in New Delhi.

“The security arrangements in Hyderabad are good and the government of

India is committed to ensure the complete security of all competitors and the championship,” he added.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said “We do regret the way one feels that they (England) cannot be safe in India. Our strong view is that all the foreign players should feel welcome and feel safe,” he said.