Black Caps briefed over terror fears : Team manager Dave Currie has faith in security

[King]

Black Caps briefed over terror fears : Team manager Dave Currie has faith in security Black Caps team manager Dave Currie has had briefings from the New Zealand High Commission over reports of a terrorist threat targeting the Cricket World Cup but is confident in the tournament's security measures. The Indian Home Ministry issued an advisory outlining that some members of a terrorist cell had entered the country and were reportedly planning on attacking venues during the World Cup. "These operatives could be well-acquainted with maritime travel to reach their targets in quick time," the advisory warned. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also updated its travel advisory to India. The warning reiterates existing advice to all New Zealanders about a "significant threat of terrorism" to visitors in the region. Currie said he had been in close contact with the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi. They had links with international intelligence agencies on the ground in India. "We have got a lot of faith that we have enough security in place." He said no country was relying solely on Indian intelligence to ascertain the threat level. "Yes (the threat) is higher but we have half the Indian army with a cordon around the stadium as well. The security is impressive. If we had cursory support then we might be more nervous." At the Black Caps' game against Canada in Mumbai on Sunday, Wankhede Stadium was turned into a virtual fortress with hundreds of armed police and army officers situated in and around the ground. Currie said there was a "general overlay of uncertainty" when a team toured the subcontinent but the players were focused and had taken the security precautions well. They had been told not to leave their hotels unless absolutely necessary. "We are here to do a job. The players are not here to be on the tourist route, they are here to win a world cup. It's just the reality of where we are and the challenges of this part of the world." Pakistan lost the right to co-host the tournament after militants ambushed the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore in 2009. The Black Caps play the Sri Lankans in Mumbai this Friday. The New Zealand team has a police motorcade when they travel and armed officers on their bus and in their hotels. Team security manager Regan Walters, who was working in Mumbai two years ago when terrorists took much of the city hostage, said he was happy with the level of precautions taken by the Indians and was kept up to date with intelligence briefings. The players are under instructions to take all security instructions from Walters. "He is staunch," Currie said. "He needs to be." The team is staying in the Taj hotel which was attacked by gunmen in 2008. The five-star accommodation has since been refurbished. "It's not a bad hotel; it has a nice pool and a few restaurants. It's not like we are slumming it," Currie said.

[King]

I was hoping the world cup will be without any incidents but the lunatics may spoil it for everyone. I'm hoping that doesn't happen. Why is there a need to jeopardize events such as these and jostle the general public.