Security addressed ahead of games

No wandering around unescorted – that’s one of Team Cook Islands’ simple rules when they attend the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi next month.

Team Cook Islands chef de mission George George says that he is aware of some of the security risks raised by other competing teams – namely New Zealand and Australia.

But he says that he is confident that Delhi officials will have in place the security needed to ensure safe games next month.

Meanwhile, Team New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie is expected to travel to India in the next day or two for a final pre-games assessment.

Seven New Zealand police officers will also travel with the team and be with the athletes and officials throughout the game.

New Zealand was also taking a co-operative security approach with Canada, Australia, Wales and England that would see more than 40 security officials operating under one umbrella across Delhi.

This is in addition to the security being provided by the Indian hosts.

The Games village is due to open on Thursday and Team Cook Islands are booked to travel on Sunday, September 26 while New Zealand athletes are expected to arrive in Delhi on September 25. The Games open on October 3 and starts on October 4.

Currie said that if New Zealand’s HQ in the games village wasn’t up to scratch “we won’t go in and that would send a powerful message.”

Teams, including Team Cook Islands received advice last week that all venues had been given codes of compliance.

George says that they have been receiving messages from the Delhi organising committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation that Delhi will be ready to host the games.

George says that Team Cook Islands will be properly briefed before departing for India on what is expected from the team.

This includes setting out plans and procedures in the case that “something drastic” happens.

George explains that earlier on team Cook Islands had the option of having a security personnel included in the team, however, the security would then be attached to the New Zealand team once in Delhi.

George says he is very confident that the Delhi games organising committee will provide full security for all teams and that each of the six code managers understand that athlete safety is the number one priority for Team Cook Islands.

Around 80,000 Delhi police officers, 17,500 paramilitary personnel including snipers and bomb disposal experts, 3000 specialised commandos and 100 anti-sabotage teams will be deployed across the city as part of what organisers call an “impregnable” security plan.

Team Cook Islands managers are called to a meeting this Wednesday for a briefing at the CISNOC office.