Security tightened at all World Cup venues

Elmo Rodrigopulle

CRICKET: The countries conducting the World Cup 2007 cricket tournament in the Caribbean have tightened security and indications are that all visitors would have no cause for worry.

All big sports events from the Olympics to the World Cup Football Tourney saw security at its best and no untoward incidents took place.

The Caribbean countries are confident that no terrorists activity will take place. But have not taken things lightly and have eliminated all risk factors by strengthening security at all venues of play and its surroundings.

Visitors arriving in the Caribbean must be ready to face some screening, for their safety and the safety of others.

The organisers have decided to rely on Mobile Integrated Network Data - which is a security system which will identify possible threats.

The World Cup is being conducted close to the United States of America and no room will be allowed for any anti American events to take place. So the strengthening of security.

Matches are being conducted in Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Sri Lankans are playing Bermuda, Bangladesh and India in Trinidad and Tobago and this was the country that first saw an Islamic uprising.

A security coordinating network is in place and South Africa has provided a large contingent of police officers and also on duty will be metal or weapons detecting devices and dogs that could sniff and detect bombs.

The Caribbean countries who have been given the honour of conducting this once in four year cricketing carnival are out to see that the games continue without a hitch.

With the first game of this near two month tournament being played yesterday between the hosts West Indies and Pakistan, information is that some of the venues have yet to be completed and cricket fans would have to face a bit of problems.

Roads and transport are not what it should have been although colossal amounts of money have been spent on them.

If not for the benevolence of the Chinese and Indian governments in providing assistance and expertise and reconstructing some of the stadiums, there would not have been a World Cup 2007 cricket tournament in the Caribbean.

The countries where the matches are to be played banded together to provide a spectacular opening ceremony. But the only complaint is that three hours was a bit too long and tedious.