Centre to review security for upcoming sports events

NEW DELHI: The Centre has decided to review the security arrangements for four major sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, to be held in India this year in wake of the Pune blast, the first major terror attack in the country in 14 months.

The decision to review the already elaborate security arrangements for the World Cup Hockey beginning February 28, the Commonwealth Games, besides the Indian Premier League was taken as a result of the blast in the German Bakery in Pune’s posh Koregaon Park, which killed nine people.

Home Ministry sources said the main concern is over World Hockey Championship as any terror incident in the run up to the event may lead to withdrawal of participating nations.

Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai said the government has put in place a very elaborate arrangement for the tournament.

“We are in close touch with security liason officers of all countries that are coming here to participate. So far, all of them have seen the preparations done by the Delhi Police and the MHA. They are quite satisfied,” he said.

Pillai said the authorities would continue to alter or update these security measures in light of specific terror threats.

The Hockey World Cup will be spread over two weeks from February 28 to March 13. The tournament will see participation by 10 countries and around 400 players and delegates.

The hugely popular IPL cricket matches will be held between March 13 and April 25 and the Commonwealth Games will be held between October 3 and 14.

“It will be a big challenge for us to make the events incident-free. We are leaving no stone unturned and preparing in advance,” an official who did not wish to be quoted said.

The Commonwealth Shooting Championship will also be held here between February 17 and 28 during which 1,000 athletes and officials from 30 countries will visit India.

The IPL matches are huge congregation of international cricket stars, Bollywood personalities, huge crowds and media making them a sitting duck for the terrorists.

The case is similar for the Commonwealth Games during which 9,000 athletes from 71 countries besides 100,000 international spectators are expected to visit the country.