Technical experts meet to discuss safety and security

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Organisers, as well as security and government officials attending a technical expert meeting gave the assurance that public safety and security were being taken seriously ahead of the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup to be staged next month in the Caribbean and the United States.

The assurances came from K.J. Singh, head of operations for the World Cup, and Earl Harris, assistant director for corporate services of the CARICOM security agency, IMPACS, during the four-day meeting taking place in the Barbados capital of Bridgetown.

Singh said Cricket West Indies, the sport’s organising body in the Caribbean, which is the lead international host board, was committed to strengthening the sport not only through safety and security, but also through anti-corruption and drug-free entertainment.

He said the organisers of the World Cup welcomed the collaborative efforts at the technical expert meeting, which is to provide support for security planning for the global showpiece, taking place from June 1 to 29.
“Strengthening the game and ensuring its integrity and safety is paramount, first and foremost, before we even put players, spectators, match officials and media on the field,” Singh said.

The meeting, which is being held under the theme, “Enhancing Security Coordination for Major Sporting Events in the Caribbean” is to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices among the Caribbean territories hosting World Cup matches.
At the same time, Harris said a collective effort in ensuring the safety and security of participants and spectators at the World Cup was “crucial and of paramount concern in an increasingly interconnected world”.

“Cricket is much more than a sport for us in the Caribbean,” he said. “It is a way of life. Cricket transcends mere sport for us; it serves as a significant vehicle for regional unity, resilience, and empowerment.
“Cricket stands as a symbol of our shared identity and heritage, representing our collective spirit […] but everyone must remain vigilant against a range of potential threats to the safety and security of the event.

“This could disrupt the event and pose risks to the safety of participants and spectators and damage the region’s reputation. Addressing these issues is not just important, it is essential to safeguarding the tournament’s integrity and preserving lives and livelihoods.”

The meeting is being hosted by the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organisation of American States (OAS-CICTE), in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and IMPACS (Implementation Agency for Crime and Security) with funding from the government of Canada.

In remarks to the opening of the meeting, High Commissioner for Canada in Barbados, Lilian Chatterjee, said while major sporting events can create opportunities for economic growth, social cohesion, and inter-cultural understanding, they can also bring inherent risks.

The High Commissioner said sports contribute to nation-building and fostering identity on a national and regional level, which are defining elements of a country’s relationships, tourism industry and cultural diplomacy, but she cautioned large, high-visibility events such as the World Cup also meant higher security risks.

She added it was for this reason that the meeting was timely since the Caribbean required “coordinated security efforts to protect against all kinds of threats”.
“Ensuring security for all seven World Cup co-hosting OAS member states, we require effective cooperation and integrated policies among co-hosting countries,” she said.

The High Commissioner said the World Cup also presented an opportunity for host territories to review and revise their safety and security policies, and to benefit from cooperation networks at the national, regional, and international levels.
“We all want to ensure the safety and security of the organisers, players, and the fans,” she said. “This is why Canada is here… to support the combined efforts of the OAS-CICTE, the UNICRI and CARICOM IMPACS to enhance regional preparedness and resilience practices for the protection of crowded spaces and vulnerable targets.”