Bahrain cancels European Tour golf event

Bahrain moved Monday to scrap its premier European Tour golf event, due to be held in January next year, in the wake of widespread political unrest in the Gulf kingdom.The move follows the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was scheduled for March this year.The Volvo Golf Champions event, which is part of the European Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’ in the Gulf states, was held for the first time this year."In making the decision Volvo and [tournament organisers] International Management Group recognised the efforts being made by the government of Bahrain to return long-term stability to Bahrain following events earlier this year," a statement issued by the organisers of the event said. "We have heeded corporate advice in making this decision,” Per Ericsson, president of Volvo Event Management Golf, said in a statement."We do not feel Bahrain can host a tournament of this magnitude while the international perception of Bahrain is as it is."It is with genuine regret that we are making this announcement after such a wonderful inaugural event in January,” Ericsson added.In April, Colin Montgomerie, who designed the Bahrain course, said he was confident that the event would take place.But plans to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix for November fell through as Formula One teams protested against the decision.F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is believed to have submitted a revised calendar of races next year, with the Bahrain Grand Prix earmarked to take place in November 2011. From / Arabian Business