Terror threat: ICC says measures taken for T20I World Cup
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Dubai: Following reports in the Carribean media about terror threats to the ICC World Cup T20I, to be hosted by West Indies and USA, the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed that it is working closely with host countries to ensure appropriate security measures, IANS reported.
The World Cup event, scheduled from June 1 to 29, is allegedly facing threats from an organisation in North Pakistan.
"ICC is working closely with the host countries to ensure appropriate plans are in place. We immediately spoke to the authorities as the reports emerged, and the Cricket West Indies has assured everyone that a comprehensive security plan is in place to address any risk," an ICC official told IANS.
The Prime Minister of Trinidad &Tobago, Dr Kieth Rowley, also responded to terror concerns. He told the Daily Express that security agencies are working to combat threats against the grand event to be hosted by the Caribbean.
"Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century. It is against this backdrop that all nations, like our region when hosting large or vulnerable gatherings, make an extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness to take seriously all threats, expressed or implied.
"Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible, it is virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities. However, in order to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament," said Rowley.
In the West Indies, venues namely Kensington Oval in Barbados, Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, Providence Stadium in Guyana, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia and Arnos Vale Stadium, St Vincent will be the hosts for matches.
In the USA, Eisenhower Park in New York, Broward County in Lauderhill, Florida and Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas, will be the venues.