Fiji loses right to host world champs

Fiji has lost the right to host next year's world netball championships, as the sport's governing body succumbed to mounting pressure to move the event.

The International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) has been monitoring the political situation in Fiji following last week's military coup.

The tournament had been scheduled for Suva in July 2007, but IFNA decided on Saturday it would not be hosted in the Fijian capital.

Spokesman for Fiji's world championships organising committee, James Tucker, said he was disappointed by the decision.

"It is a very sad day for us here in Fiji to have worked so hard in trying to put this championship together," he said.

"It would have been an event that Fiji would have been totally and utterly proud of. But due to events outside of our control, the event will not be hosted here in Fiji."

IFNA has made no announcement as to who will replace Fiji as the host of the world championships.