terror-threat-to-icc-t20-world-cup-organisers-say-security-plan-in-place

Terror threats have been received by organisers of the ICC’s T20 World Cup in June this year which is being jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies, official sources have said.

Matches will be played across nine venues, six of them in the West Indies.

 

Media reports said the threat is specific to the West Indies, which aside from some preliminary matches, will be hosting the entire Super 8 stage along with the semifinals and the final on June 29.

 

Sports website Cricbuzz reported of a potential threat from places close to Islamic State (IS) bases, particularly the IS Khorasan branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

 

The ICC has meanwhile asserted that the tournament in which India is among 20 participating teams, has a “comprehensive and robust security plan in place,” local media reports say Trinidad's Prime Minister Keith Rowley has confirmed coordination between Caricom (the Caribbean Community) and security forces to combat any threats to the World Cup.

 

The CEO of Cricket West Indies Johnny Graves said a "comprehensive and robust security strategy" was in place to address all vulnerabilities identified.

 

"We are working closely with the host country and host city authorities and continuously monitoring and assessing the global situation to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified at the event. I will make sure," he said.

 

Caribbean politicians, most notably PM Rowley, are working with security agencies to combat any threats. Regional security forces are also actively monitoring the situation.

 

The Cricket T20 World Cup is scheduled for June 2–29, 2024. The West Indies will be represented by Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Matches will also be played in Florida, New York, and Texas in the United States. Currently, no specific threats have been reported against US venues.

 

The final will take place in Barbados, with semi-finals in Trinidad and Guyana. The West Indies is hosting the world after a gap of 14 years since the 2010 edition.