Faced with a boycott threat from Islamic radicals because of her clothes, Sania Mirza will be given high security protection when she comes to play in the Sunfeast WTA tournament in Kolkata from Monday.
Muslim clerics and conservatives have criticised Mirza for wearing short skirts and sleeveless tops - clothes that have been described as anti-Islam by mullahs.
Members of the Islamic outfit, Jamaet-e-ulema-e-Hind, called for preventing the teenage sensation, ranked 34th in WTA rankings, from taking part in the Kolkata tournament. Clerics have said she needed 'counselling' to make her respect the dress code approved by Islam.
In view of a 'specific threat perception', police in Kolkata have decided to accord high security to Mirza. According to police sources, the Hyderabad-based player would be given commando protection. The Netaji Indoor Stadium, the venue of the championship, would be 'sanitised' and hundreds of women police and plainclothesmen would be posted.
A total of 23 women competitors would make an appearance at the tourney, the first major tennis event in Kolkata.
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