Srinagar, May 06: T20 World Cup organizers and host nations are on high alert following reports of potential terror threats from pro-Islamic State (IS) sources, particularly the Afghanistan-Pakistan branch IS-Khorasan (IS-K).
With less than a month remaining until the tournament’s commencement, concerns have been raised about the safety of players and spectators alike.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, intelligence suggests that IS-affiliated media outlets have been inciting violence against sporting events, prompting heightened security measures.
Jonny Graves, CEO of CWI (Cricket West Indies), stressed the importance of collaboration with local authorities in host countries to ensure the safety of the event.
“We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continuously monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event,” he told Cricbuzz, as per a report in Hindustan Times.
Regional leaders in the Caribbean, where several matches are scheduled to take place, are actively engaging with security agencies to counter potential threats. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley confirmed cooperation between Caricom (the Caribbean Community) and security forces to bolster security measures for the tournament. Additionally, security officials in Barbados are closely monitoring the situation to preempt any security breaches.
The T20 World Cup, slated for June 2 to 29, 2024, will be hosted across various venues in the West Indies, including Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Matches are also scheduled to take place in select cities in the United States, including Florida, New York, and Texas. While no specific threats have been reported for US venues as of now, authorities remain vigilant.
Barbados is set to host the final match of the tournament, with the semi-finals scheduled for Trinidad and Guyana. This marks the first time since 2010 that the West Indies will host the Cricket World Cup, underscoring the significance of the event for the region’s cricketing landscape. Despite the security concerns, organizers and authorities are committed to ensuring a safe and successful tournament for all participants and attendees.