By IANS,
Pretoria : South Africa’s security agencies have said they have taken adequate measures to safeguard the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“We are confident that we have the capacity to ensure a safe and secure environment … to safeguard the Indian Premier League matches,” said Vishnu Naidoo, spokesperson for the joint planning committee for security for the IPL.
“Security measures will be put in place for the IPL at eight stadia in six provinces to ensure cricket players and fans will be safe,” BuaNews quoted Naidoo as saying.
A total of 59 matches will be played over the next 37 days in the provices of Gauteng, the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Northern Cape.
Accoriding to Naidoo, strict security measures will be in place at all stadiums and spectators that are unruly or fail to comply with security arrangements will face possible prosecution.
“A zero tolerance attitude to crime or unruly behaviour will be enforced. Certain areas and streets in and around the venues will be closed to traffic during these events,” said Naidoo.
The Twenty20 competition was moved out of India due to security reasons as the general elections are also being held during the same time.
Besides the IPL, South Africa will host three international sporting events this year – the Confederations Cup, the British and Irish Lions rugby tour and the International Cricket Council trophy.