Hong Kong 2019 Squash Open cancelled due to ongoing protests

Due to the political unrest in Hong Kong, the 2019 Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Squash Open has been reportedly called off. The organizers of the sports event have claimed after careful consideration and extensive discussions with the stakeholders, that they will be postponing the event to next year. Hong Kong has been shaken by four months of massive pro-democracy protests has seen clashes between demonstrators and the police. The event which was scheduled for December, became the latest casualty as announced on October 8. 

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Hong Kong Squash open cancelled

This is the second time that the annual Hong Kong Squash Open has been cancelled. It was also called off back in 2003 during the SARS outbreak. The ongoing protests in the Chinese special administrative region were also the reason behind the cancellation of the WTA Hong Kong Open tennis tournament and the postponement of a football friendly at home against Malaysia. There were also several high-profile entertainment events and stand-up comedy shows that have been cancelled due to the demonstrations. The announcement of the postponement of the mixed martial arts event HK4 also came on October 9 as the organizers cite safety concerns during the ongoing protests. 

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Hong Kong Demonstrations

The demonstrations which started in June 2019 due to an extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be transferred to the mainland has now been revoked. However, then started the protests have now modified into a larger version of an anti-government movement. The protesters demand less Chinese influence on Hong Kong which was initially promised a high level of autonomy when they came under the 'one country, two systems' in 1997. These often violent protests have damaged Hong Kong tourism along with the businesses in the global financial hub which has caused additional loss to the economy. Meanwhile, the city has been battling the effects of the greatest trade war between China and the United States. US President, Donald Trump has also asked China to deliver a “humane solution” to the unrest in Hong Kong.  

(With inputs from agencies)

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