Security concerns delay world squash contest in Egypt

Cairo officials criticize decision by 11 nations to pull out of championship over Islamist violence

CAIRO — The Egyptian Squash Federation says the world men’s team championship, which was to start later this month in Cairo, has been indefinitely postponed because countries withdrew over security concerns.

Saturday’s postponement comes as Egypt battles a growing insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula, where an Islamic State affiliate claimed the downing of a Russian passenger plane in October. The crash killed all 224 people on board and led to widespread flight cancellations.

The federation says England, France, Germany, the US, Canada, Finland, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Colombia, and South Africa all withdrew from the squash championship.

Federation President Assem Khalifa dismissed their concerns, saying: “They are using security as an excuse because they are upset the World Squash Federation didn’t include them in the decision to move the contest to Egypt.”