MELBOURNE, Oct 6: The men’s squash world championships have been cancelled because of financial problems, the World Squash Federation (WSF) said on Saturday.

The championships were due to be held in Melbourne from October 15-21 but were scrapped because of economic uncertainty following the attacks on New York and Washington.

However, WSF officials said the women’s world championship and the team event, also due to be staged in Melbourne this month, would go ahead as planned.

“Sadly, this new event has been one of the casualties of the economic effects of the political turmoil following the U.S. tragedy,” WSF chief executive Ted Wallbutton said in a statement.

“With sponsorship tightening after these events it was not possible to guarantee a sufficient level of prize fund for the men’s individual championship to ensure sensible player compensation, so, with great regret, it has been cancelled.”—Reuters