‘Comprehensive security plan in place’; ICC reacts to T20 World Cup terror threats

DUBAI: After reports of possible threat emerged, Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley confirmed that security agencies in the West Indies were monitoring a possible terror threat to the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies have assured that a “comprehensive and robust security plan” is in place for the marquee event.

“Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century,” Rowley said to Sunday Express today.

“It is against this backdrop that all nations, like our region when hosting large or vulnerable gatherings, make an extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness to take seriously, all threats, expressed or implied,” he said.

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Furthermore, Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister added, “However, to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament.”

The ICC and Cricket West Indies responded with a joint statement assuring stakeholders of the security measures in place.

“We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event,” the statement said. “We want to assure all stakeholders that the safety and security of everyone at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place.”

The 20-team T20 World Cup will be played in nine venues, six of them in the West Indies and three in the USA. The tournament runs from June 1 to 29, with Barbados scheduled to host the final.