World Cup offers chance to study Delhi security plans

Nations worried about terrorism at this year’s Commonwealth Games will be watching the men’s hockey World Cup finals

Nations that are increasingly jittery about terrorism threats at this year’s Commonwealth Games will be scrutinising security risks at the men’s World Cup finals in Delhi.

The event, which start on February 28 and continues for a fortnight, takes place at the 23,000-seat Dhyan Chand Stadium, close to the iconic India Gate national monument.

As countries become more nervous about sending teams to the Commonwealth Games, which are due to be staged in the Indian capital in October, Sally Munday, chief executive of England Hockey, said that the squad may serve as guinea pigs.

“The security and safety of our players comes first and we have been in close consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the international governing body,” Munday said. “At the moment, all the advice we have is that it is appropriate to go and we want our players to have the experience of playing in front of huge crowds in a country where hockey is massive. India can’t afford to let anything go wrong.”

Munday added that officials from England Hockey had received a full briefing from the FIH, the world governing body, at the end of last year and that David Faulkner, the performance director, had travelled with senior officers from the Metropolitan Police in October to conduct a full reconnaissance. The FIH has agreed to fully accredit several officers from London, who will accompany the team at all times.

“They are a fantastic resource,” Munday said. “We want to make sure we do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our players and officials.”

After reports quoting a government official as stating that there is “virtually no chance” that England would send a team to the Commonwealth Games, it has emerged the Government will be monitoring events in Delhi before making a decision.