Security master plan for 2007

CHAIRMAN of ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) West Indies 2007 Rawle Brancker has said that high security will be in place for the staging of Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 in the Caribbean in just under two years. Brancker made the announcement on Tuesday at the official launch of the CWC 2007 cricket schedule, logo and mascot (Mello) at Queen’s Hall. He suggested that security of the citizens here and abroad is at high risk from terrorism and organisers are preparing to make the championship as safe as possible. “This World Cup (committee) has held a number of meetings and workshops with senior representatives from the police forces and the regional security agencies, to make sure the security plan we have developed is well understood and that everyone is equipped to execute it,” Brancker said.

His comments come in the wake of the London bombings and last week’s blast in Port-of-Spain. He said emergency evacuations, crowd control, stadium access, anti-social behaviour and other aspects of the plan have all been discussed. Brancker added that the security director had been in continuous contact with the various local organising and security committees across the region. “We will leave no stone unturned as we continue to strengthen the already developed comprehensive master security plan and over the next two years, we will continue to update as it becomes necessary as we anticipate new challenges,” Brancker said. He said discussions were taking place with CARICOM for the passing of “Sunset Legislation” which would provide one-entry passports for visitors to see matches around the Caribbean.

This legislation will be dissolved at the conclusion of the World Cup. Brancker said the World Cup was an opportunity to create employment in the region and, as a result, a decision had been made that any foreign contractor securing a deal worth more than US$100,000 would have to comply with certain regulations. “They must provide evidence that they are sub-contracting to Caribbean contractors, or are employing citizens of the region in their project,” Brancker said. Brancker also had a message for the International Cricket Council (ICC), saying that after the World Cup, they could look at giving the region the World Youth tournament to host, as well as the Champions Trophy.

A former Barbados spinner, Brancker said co-operation from the regional governments and the local organising committees in the building, renovation and expansion works at venues had been good. CWC 2007 will stage championship matches that year across the Caribbean from March 13 to April 28, when the final will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Several top Trinidad and Tobago dignitaries attended the launch, including acting President Dr Linda Baboolal, Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Sports Minister Roger Boynes.