Caribbean Community (Caricom) governments are jointly ramping up security before the T/20 Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to run for all of June in the region and in the U.S., because security agencies have detected a possible terror threat from groups in northern Pakistan.
The Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) announced over the weekend that it was collaborating with U.S. federal agencies and the umbrella International Cricket Committee (ICC) to deal with a possible terror threat, mostly aimed at games and commercial activities in the Caribbean. The tournament involves nearly two dozen countries and kicks off on June 1, with games from Guyana in the south to Jamaica in the north. Some of the bigger games attracting global television audiences and traditional rivalries, such as Pakistan versus India, will be held in the U.S., including Nassau County, N.Y.; Lauderhill, Fla.; and Grand Prairie, Texas. The final set of games will be played in the Eastern Caribbean nation of Barbados.
Trinidadian Prime Minister Keith Rowley, who has regional leadership responsibilities for security, said recently that IMPACS had advised governments of an Islamic State threat to the tournament. The security agencies said that the Pro Islamic State media outlet had called for attacks against the World Cup by warning that the group had said in Urdu that “people indulging in amusement would ultimately face the day of reckoning. This is not a game but rather a blood deal.”
As preparations heighten for the global cricketing spectacle, the Antigua-based Cricket West Indies said it is aware of recent developments and is working to ensure everything goes smoothly.
“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 body said.
The ICC supported its regional affiliate, noting that “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.”
Asked by the Trinidad Express newspaper for an update about preparations, Rowley said the threat is being taken seriously.
“Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible, it makes it virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities,” he said. “However, in order 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.”
As time draws near, security agencies said greater security attention must focus on explosive ordnance disposal and training, and stepped-up monitoring in stadiums, hotels, and tourist areas, and at border entry and exit points.
“Host nations should monitor and control the flow of people to reduce the possibility of overcrowded areas, which provide soft targets for terrorist attacks,” an advisory stated. “Stakeholders must conduct strict screening measures at ports, stadiums, hotels, tourist attractions, and of critical infrastructure to inhibit the movement of weapons or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) [and increase] the safety of stakeholders, including participants and spectators.”
Competing teams will come from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the West Indies, the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, Oman, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Oman, and Uganda.