Tweet
DHAKA (Reuters) - A huge security operation was in place in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka on Saturday to ensure a trouble-free start to the Cricket World Cup.
Police, military officers and organisers told Reuters that they were confident that safety for players and fans alike had been secured by the measures for the six-week tournament which culminates in the April 2 final in Mumbai.
The event is being staged in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Hasan Mahmood Khandker, Bangladesh's police chief, said: "We have taken all measures to ensure the fully secure conduct of the World Cup.
"Along with police, the members of rapid action battalion (RAB), army personnel and detectives are all working together and assisting us to do our job without any trouble.
"We are ready for the show and to make it fully secure," said another Dhaka police officer. "We expect the fiesta will go off smoothly," he said.
One media report here said that some 20,000 members of Bangladesh's elite paramilitary force had been deployed in this country of over 160 million to ensure a trouble-free start in Dhaka to the long-awaited event.
Earlier this week, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council, Haroon Lorgat, said he was confident the security measures in place and the experience the governing body had accrued in this area had now made safety a "non-issue".
Bangladesh, formed in 1971 after splitting with Pakistan following a nine-month war, has a history of political violence though is now a parliamentary democracy.
STEEL-HELMETED
The United States on Thursday urged citizens to be vigilant of terror risks throughout the region although there were no reports this week of increased danger of attack, according to security officials contacted by Reuters on Friday.
Memories are still fresh in the region of the attack by gunmen in Lahore, Pakistan in 2009 on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus which claimed the lives of eight people and injured seven players.
"I guess this is the biggest peace time security mobilisation in the country," said Shafiqur Rahman, 50, who travelled to Dhaka to watch the match between fierce rivals India and Bangladesh.
"I have been waiting outside the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium for several hours but often been pushed away by steel-helmeted police and allies security forces," he told Reuters.
"But I am ready to face it and wait for the gates to open," said the school teacher, who was later to obtain a ticket.
Bangladesh has come to a virtual standstill for the opening match, with the government declaring a half-day holiday for the public to watch cricket at the 25,000-capacity stadium, on road-side giant screens or in their homes on television.
Children dressed colourfully and sporting cricket caps waited outside the stadium. Many carried schoolbags stuffed with snacks and drink bottles, with some resting on the shoulders of their parents.
"It's the biggest fun for the young and old fans," said a policeman, watching the growing crowd. "I never imagined it would set off such a huge surge (of people)," he added.
"Don't think we are trailing anyone. We are on a par with other nations in South Asia," said Kabir Ahmed, a Dhaka University student.
On the field, India were attempting to gain revenge for their first round exit at the last World Cup in 2007.
Defeat by Bangladesh contributed to their departure from the competition held then in the Caribbean.
This time, India are ranked 3-1 favourites by London bookmakers and expected to beat Bangladesh by most experts.
(Editing by Jon Bramley
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Police, military officers and organisers told Reuters that they were confident that safety for players and fans alike had been secured by the measures for the six-week tournament which culminates in the April 2 final in Mumbai.
The event is being staged in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Hasan Mahmood Khandker, Bangladesh's police chief, said: "We have taken all measures to ensure the fully secure conduct of the World Cup.
"Along with police, the members of rapid action battalion (RAB), army personnel and detectives are all working together and assisting us to do our job without any trouble.
"We are ready for the show and to make it fully secure," said another Dhaka police officer. "We expect the fiesta will go off smoothly," he said.
One media report here said that some 20,000 members of Bangladesh's elite paramilitary force had been deployed in this country of over 160 million to ensure a trouble-free start in Dhaka to the long-awaited event.
Earlier this week, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council, Haroon Lorgat, said he was confident the security measures in place and the experience the governing body had accrued in this area had now made safety a "non-issue".
Bangladesh, formed in 1971 after splitting with Pakistan following a nine-month war, has a history of political violence though is now a parliamentary democracy.
STEEL-HELMETED
The United States on Thursday urged citizens to be vigilant of terror risks throughout the region although there were no reports this week of increased danger of attack, according to security officials contacted by Reuters on Friday.
Memories are still fresh in the region of the attack by gunmen in Lahore, Pakistan in 2009 on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus which claimed the lives of eight people and injured seven players.
"I guess this is the biggest peace time security mobilisation in the country," said Shafiqur Rahman, 50, who travelled to Dhaka to watch the match between fierce rivals India and Bangladesh.
"I have been waiting outside the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium for several hours but often been pushed away by steel-helmeted police and allies security forces," he told Reuters.
"But I am ready to face it and wait for the gates to open," said the school teacher, who was later to obtain a ticket.
Bangladesh has come to a virtual standstill for the opening match, with the government declaring a half-day holiday for the public to watch cricket at the 25,000-capacity stadium, on road-side giant screens or in their homes on television.
Children dressed colourfully and sporting cricket caps waited outside the stadium. Many carried schoolbags stuffed with snacks and drink bottles, with some resting on the shoulders of their parents.
"It's the biggest fun for the young and old fans," said a policeman, watching the growing crowd. "I never imagined it would set off such a huge surge (of people)," he added.
"Don't think we are trailing anyone. We are on a par with other nations in South Asia," said Kabir Ahmed, a Dhaka University student.
On the field, India were attempting to gain revenge for their first round exit at the last World Cup in 2007.
Defeat by Bangladesh contributed to their departure from the competition held then in the Caribbean.
This time, India are ranked 3-1 favourites by London bookmakers and expected to beat Bangladesh by most experts.
(Editing by Jon Bramley
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
