As the T20 World Cup approaches, scheduled to unfold in the West Indies and the US from June 1 to 29, concerns for CWI arise amidst terror threats. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) reassures stakeholders of stringent safety measures, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring a secure tournament environment.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) is the governing body that unites the cricketing spirit of the Caribbean. It oversees West Indies teams across formats, from the legendary men’s team, nicknamed the “Windies” to the rising women’s team. CWI manages cricket development across various Caribbean nations and islands, nurturing talent and ensuring the sport thrives in the region.
The T20 World Cup 2024 brings an exciting co-hosting venture between the USA and the West Indies, from June 1st to 29th, 20 teams will battle it out for T20 cricket supremacy. In the Caribbean, CWI oversees group-stage matches spanning Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Lucia, featuring top teams aiming for advancement.
The tournament intensifies with Super Eight clashes in iconic cricket hubs like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Saint Lucia. CWI’s pivotal role ensures smooth venue management, logistics, and fan engagement, promising a vibrant cricket extravaganza in the Caribbean islands. The USA’s foray into hosting a major cricket tournament is a significant development for the sport’s global reach, while the Caribbean islands, known for their passionate cricketing culture, promise to be electric.
The Security Alert
“Pro-Islamic State (IS) media sources have launched campaigns inciting violence against sporting events, which included video messages from the Afghanistan-Pakistan branch, ISKhorasan (IS-K) which highlighted assaults in numerous countries and urged supporters to join the battlefield in their countries.” the security alert stated.
CWI’s Response
Despite receiving terror alerts for the Twenty20 World Cup from North Pakistan, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) is reassuring stakeholders about the security of the event in the West Indies.
On Sunday evening Jonny Graves, the CEO of the CWI told Cricbuzz,
“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,”
“We want to assure all stakeholders that 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 CEO of the CWI further told the website.
Caribbean media outlets have reported that authorities, along with the Cricket West Indies (CWI), are actively monitoring potential threats to the upcoming World Cup.
Daily Express’s Reports
Trinidad’s Daily Express reported Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s statement, mentioning Caricom and security agencies collaborating to address World Cup threats. Additionally, Barbados regional security officials are reportedly keeping a close watch on potential risks to the ICC event.
Reports indicate that intelligence about a possible threat to the World Cup has surfaced through the Pro-Islamic State (Daesh) media group “Nashir Pakistan.” The Daily Express notes that Nashir-e Pakistan is an Islamic State group-affiliated propaganda channel.
ICC Response And T20 WC 2024
When reached for comment, the ICC stated that its statement mirrors that of the CWI.
The World Cup matches in the West Indies are set to take place in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, matches are scheduled in US cities including Florida, New York, and Texas, with no reported threats to the games in the USA. The two semifinals are scheduled for Trinidad and Guyana, while the final is slated for Barbados.