Foreign delegates give thumbs up to WC security

NEW DELHI: The upcoming Hockey World Cup received a boost on Friday after the Pakistani and Australian security agencies along with officials of nine other participating nations – who had earlier raised concerns after the Pune blast and the subsequent HuJI threat – gave a thumbs up to the security arrangements for the tournament which is beginning on February 28 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Top Delhi police cops said that the uncertainty over the tournament was now over.

According to Delhi police sources, a team from 11 countries had come to the city to evaluate the security scenario in Delhi ahead of the World Cup and attended a presentation – on the four-tier security apparatus – made by Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal and Special Commissioner Neeraj Kumar.

“We are satisfied. We had concerns in two or three areas. The Commissioner has assured that they will be addressed. Delhi Police has done very good planning,” Pervez Bhandari from Pakistan said after the presentation.

The Australian delegation also expressed similar views with Deputy High Commissioner Lacklan Starhn saying that they were “very pleased” with the comprehensive security arrangements being made for the event. “Proper assurances have been given. We are very pleased with the arrangements,” Starhn said.

The London Metropolitan police too had earlier expressed its satisfaction with the security arrangements.

Close to 19,000 security personnel, including 200 gun-totting commandos and 1,000 men of central para military forces will be deployed.

The tournament is being considered by Delhi Police as a “dress rehearsal” for the Commonwealth Games.