Players worried but not panicking after swine flu scare

HYDERABAD: The anxiety shows but the players and officials at the World Badminton Championship have not pressed the panic button yet after a
Malaysian coach was diagnosed with suspected symptoms of swine flu.

World number four Indonesian Taufik Hidayat looked worried after what he saw on television and said he was apprehensive.

"It is scary. I have seen all that on TV that the Malaysian coach has been admitted with suspected swine flu," said the Indonesian shuttler.

World number three Dane Peter Gade, however, looked unperturbed and said it was not an India-specific issue.

"It is a worldwide things. I can happen anywhere. It has nothing to do specifically with India. We travel a lot and we know what precaution to take and we have been informed about it," he said.

Norwegian shuttler Steinar Klausen was not unduly worried either.

"We keep on travelling a lot and even at the airport we were told about it, so we are aware about it," he said.

Lithuania coach Juozas Spelveris echoed a similar view and said it would be premature to panic.

"We have been treated well by India so far. I don't have any concern. This is not a confirmed case and so there is no need to panic about anything," he said.

The participants, however, are not taking chance and most were seen wearing white-green masks.

As players started pouring in for their respective matches, they passed through metal detectors which were guarded by officials wearing masks for the first time in the tournament.

Sponsors, officials and even many camerapersons could be spotted with the masks.

One of the Indonesian shuttler also had her mask on. "It is important to take precautions in such times. Prevention is always better than cure," she said.