New Zealand Olympic Committee monitoring Bangalore incident

AUCKLAND - The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has expressed concern for the safety of athletes heading for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October, after two bombs exploded outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, hosting an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Bangalore.

New Zealand vice-captain Ross Taylor and commentator Simon Doull were in the ground when the bombs exploded, bringing the safety of players into the spotlight.

The NZOC said it was taking the incident seriously, and would seek advice from the New Zealand Government’s Major Events Security Committee.

“The NZOC will take action accordingly. Athlete safety remains the organization’s highest priority,” Stuff.co.nz quoted a NZOC statement, as saying.

The NZOC would work with the Major Events Security Committee, the Commonwealth Games Federation and other Commonwealth nations to monitor the situation.

The explosions came a day after the United States issued a travel alert in which it warned: “The U.S. government continues to receive information that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India”.

Earlier, several cricket-playing countries had warned their players about participating in the IPL, citing security threats in India. (ANI)