Still concerned about safety of Peng Shuai, WTA suspends all tournaments in Chin

The Womens Tennis Association WTA has announced that it would suspend all tournaments in China as the body is concerned about the safety of Peng ShuaiOver the course of the last few weeks WTA has been involved in a tussle with Beijing regarding Shuais wellbeingWhen on November 2 2021 Peng Shuai posted an allegation of sexual assault against a top Chinese government official the Womens Tennis Association recognized that Peng Shuais message had to be listened to and taken seriously The players of the WTA not to mention women around the world deserve nothing less Steve Simon WTA Chairman and CEO said in an official statementFrom that moment forward Peng Shuai demonstrated the importance of speaking out particularly when it comes to sexual assault and especially when powerful people are involved As Peng said in her post Even if it is like an egg hitting a rock or if I am like a moth drawn to the flame inviting selfdestruction I will tell the truth about you She knew the dangers she would face yet she went public anyway I admire her strength and courage he addedSimon also said that the body continues to remain concerned about Shuais wellbeing and hence all tournaments are being suspended in ChinaWith the full support of the WTA Board of Directors I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China including Hong Kong In good conscience I dont see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault Given the current state of affairs I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022 said SimonI have been gratified by the massive amount of international support the WTA has received for its position on this matter To further protect Peng and many other women throughout the world it is more urgent than ever for people to speak out The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players As we do so I hope leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng and all women no matter the financial ramifications he addedShuai had sent shockwaves when she accused Zhang Gaoli a senior Chinese government official of sexual abuse The highestprofile case in Chinas MeToo movement was kept under tight wraps with the reputation of the officials involved safeguarded at all costsThe International Olympic Committee IOC last week said in a statement that its president Thomas Bach had a 30minute video call with threetime Olympian Peng Shuai joined by a Chinese sports official and an IOC officialThe statement said that during the call Peng appeared to be doing fine and relaxed and said she would like to have her privacy respected The IOC did not explain how the video call with Peng had been organized given the difficulties other concerned parties have had reaching herAlso View Mohammad Kaif turns 41 Rare candid photos with his wife Pooja and kidsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever