Labour MP Richard Burden joins in on the Bahrain debate

Labour MP Richard Burden has joined in on the hot debate over Bahrain Grand Prix’s feasibility amid local tensions.

The Bahrain Grand Prix has been the big debate and different views have started to pour in as the time comes closer to the event and recent growing tensions in the country have sparked some confusion.

Formula 1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the organisers of the event are adamant that the event is not under any threat and should go as planned. Ecclestone has chosen the stance that every country goes through local tensions and that should not be mixed with sports.

Local organisers have said that the issues have been controlled and are not as threatening as they are portrayed.

Former World Champion Damon Hill also said that FIA should look into the matter again and may need to rethink their plans.

“Damon Hill is right to call on the governing body of motor sport to rethink its decision to go ahead with this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix,” Burden wrote in a column for the Huffington Post. “I say that as someone who is a motor sport nut as well as an MP with a keen interest in the Middle East.”

Burnden feels that the Bahrain government will do all that is possible to make sure the event is not affected by any local issues, but the reputation of the sport would still be on the line. Many are viewing it to be a promotion of human rights violations.

Since February last year, 45 people have died on Bahrain’s streets. The latest victim was killed by live ammunition only last week. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the cemetery near his home outside the capital, Manama. Reports say riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades into the crowds, setting off running street clashes.

The 2011 race was also cancelled due to tensions in the country and it seems the 2012 race is headed for the same fate. It will be important to note the country’s situation in the next few days as it might prove to be the major factor in the events future.

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Posted by Kashif Khan on Apr 22 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.