Soccer’s World Youth Championship was postponed and Tiger Woods withdrew from a major golf tournament this week as the increasing likelihood of War in Iraq started to take its toll on international sport.None of the world’s major showpiece events — the summer and Winter Olympics or soccer’s World Cup — take place this year, but the increasingly international nature of sport means there are almost certain to be further disruptions to the calendar.‘‘While it is our belief that sport is a unifying force among people of different cultures and philosophies, we also recognise that there are exceptional times when political issues overtake the positive values of sport,’’ said Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of the International Tennis Federation (ITF).The September 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. caused events like European soccer’s Champions League to be suspended and persuaded athletes not to travel to events - even in parts of the globe considered safe - whatever the financial incentives.World soccer’s governing body FIFA decided on Thursday to postpone the World Youth Championship, which was scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates from March 25, because they believed players’ safety could be at risk.‘‘FIFA regrets having to make this decision but must take into account its responsibilities towards the players, officials and other parties as well as towards the media and spectators,’’ FIFA president Sepp Blatter said.Woods, the world’s top golfer, decided against travelling to the UAE to play in this week’s Dubai Desert Classic for safety reasons. ‘‘I don’t think it would be wise for me to go over there at this particular time,’’ the American said.There have already been calls for next week’s Qatar Masters tournament to be called off after the British government advised against travel to the region except on essential business.But Ken Schofield of the European Tour, which sanctions the event, insisted it would go ahead. ‘‘As we see it, our event in Qatar is business. It’s certainly not a holiday,’’ he said.‘‘All preparations including golf course, accommodation and transportation are complete and secure. Additional contingencies are in place should eventualities require.’’ Organisers of the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, said this week the event would take place as planned on March 29, with a record 15 American entries.Elsewhere in the Gulf, Kuwait has already cancelled international soccer friendlies against Egypt and India, while Bahrain called off a match against a Brazil XI, which they hoped would have featured the likes of Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronadinho.Turkey may yet agree to allow American troops to use their country as a launching pad for an attack on neighbouring Iraq and its soccer federation has plans to move or cancel matches.‘‘We don’t know to what extent Turkey will enter a War,’’ Turkish Soccer Federation deputy chairman Ata Aksu said last month. ‘‘We have taken the necessary precautions. If our country enters a War then I think the matches will not be played.’’UEFA, which governs European soccer, also has contingency plans in place in case of War. ‘‘(We) will implement them as and when they are needed,’’ Mike Lee, director of communications for European soccer’s governing body, said. ‘‘There are a number of our member associations like Turkey, Greece, Israel, Cyprus all close to the region and we will look at the situation there, and across Europe when we need to.’’ (Reuters)
