Hong Kong Open 2019 Postponed Due to Protests
Hong Kong has for months been rocked by increasingly violent protests, triggered by an extradition bill. The bill has now been withdrawn but the protests have continued and have grown to reflect wider demands for democratic reform, reports the BBC.
Hong Kong, September 13: The Hong Kong Open tennis tournament, which was scheduled to take place from October 5 to 13, has been postponed indefinitely because of the ongoing protests in the city. China Grab Four Gold Medals at 2019 ITTF World Tour Hong Kong Open.
Hong Kong has for months been rocked by increasingly violent protests, triggered by an extradition bill. The bill has now been withdrawn but the protests have continued and have grown to reflect wider demands for democratic reform, reports the BBC.
"In light of the present situation, Hong Kong Tennis Association (HKTA) and the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) are announcing a postponement of the 2019 Hong Kong Tennis Open," said HKTA in a media statement on Friday. They said they were in "active discussion" to find a later date for the tournament.
The mass protests, now entering their fourth month, were sparked by a now-scrapped extradition bill, which opponents argued would have allowed Beijing to erode Hong Kong's separate justice system after its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2019 10:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).