Massive three million pound security operation for T20 World Cup
By ANISunday, May 31, 2009
LONDON - Cricket bosses plan a massive three million pound security operation at the World Twenty20 to combat any threat from terrorists.
Tournament director Steve Elworthy said: “Security has proved a problem after the tragedies of Mumbai and Lahore. The security expertise on our panel have put together an incredibly comprehensive security plan and it is revisited on a daily basis.”
“The terrorists have become more active and this focuses the mind but we are very confident we have the right plan,” he added.
The competition, which starts here on Friday, is the first global event since six policemen were killed and seven Sri Lanka players wounded in a horror attack three months ago.
Masked militants sprayed the Lankan team bus in Pakistan with bullets as they drove to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to play a Test match.
The huge protection bill is similar to protection costs at the recent IPL tournament switched from India to South Africa at the last minute because of safety concerns. But that event lasts more than six weeks at nine stadiums, while the World Twenty20 ends on June 21 and three venues are being used.
It is understood sniffer dogs will used in and around Lord’s, the Brit Oval and Trent Bridge to detect explosives and every fan will be thoroughly searched on entering the ground.
Organisers have taken on 1,000 volunteers to work at the tournament but each one has been vetted carefully, News of the World reported. (ANI)
