ICC team meets PM: Adequate security for cricket events assured

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UNB, Dhaka :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday assured the International Cricket Council (ICC) of taking adequate security measures for any international cricket event in Bangladesh as it always does so when it comes to security steps.
The Prime Minister said this when an ICC delegations, led by Chief Executive David John Richardson, met her at her official residence Ganabhaban.
Other members of the delegation were ICC security consultants Sean Norris and Reg Dickson, and head of events Chris Tetley.
After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
Sheikh Hasina said the people of Bangladesh are cricket crazy ones as they love this sport very much.
She mentioned that the upcoming Under-19 World Cup Cricket Tournament to be held in January next in Bangladesh is very important as under-19 teams are the players of future.
Richardson told the Prime Minister that their delegation held talks with the authorities concerned of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), security agencies as well as embassies and high commissions of the participating countries on security issues.
The delegation also visited cricket venues in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar where the matches of the Under-19 World Cup Cricket Tournament will be held, he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the conditions of the stadiums, the ICC CE said the delegation members are highly pleased seeing the standard of the Cox’s Bazar International Stadium.
In reply, the Prime Minister said she was personally looking after the construction works of the stadium.
David Richardson said the delegation will submit a report to the Board of the ICC on their visit.
Prime Minister’s Adviser HT Imam and BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon was also present.
The Under-19 International Cricket Tournament will begin on January 27, 2016 with the participation of 16 countries.
During the tournament, 48 matches will be held in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar venues.
Talking to reporters at Ganabhaban after the meeting with the Prime Minister, David Richardson said the delegation will prepare a security plan and submit a confidential report to the Board of the ICC to finalise the plan.
The Chief Executive said the ICC delegation makes inspection visits to the host country before any international event.
He said the aim of their visit is to see the security situation in Bangladesh and to make sure that the security measures taken are adequate to meet any kind of threat or risk.
The purpose of the visit is also to ensure safety and security of the participants, the umpires, officials and of course their friends and families and fans of the cricket, he added.
Talking about Australia’s postponed visit to Bangladesh, Richardson said the Australian team’s visit was postponed because of some security concerns.
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