17 Feb 2010

NZ teams cautious after India terror threat

11:05 pm on 17 February 2010

New Zealand sports teams are reconsidering plans to compete in India following an al Qaeda-linked terrorist threat aimed at athletes.

A message received by the Asia Times Online website warns competing countries not to send people to hockey's World Cup, which begins on 28 February, the Indian Premier Cricket League, and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi beginning in October.

Authorities in India say the events are safe to attend.

New Zealand cricketers and the men's hockey team are due to participate in upcoming tournaments, but are taking a cautious view on whether to go.

Hockey New Zealand on Wednesday announced it will hold off leaving for the World Cup in New Delhi until further notice. Team representatives and Indian security officials will meet on Friday to discuss the threat to security.

The Black Sticks have been preparing for the tournament in Australia and were due to fly to India on Monday.

Hockey New Zealand chief executive Hilary Poole says the team will not leave Perth for New Delhi until they have further assurances from the Indian government that players will be absolutely safe.

Hockey New Zealand has also been receiving security advice from the New Zealand Government and other sporting bodies.

Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod says players are concerned about the situation.

Cricketers from New Zealand are involved in the lucrative Indian Premier League in March, but Cricket Players' Association executive manager Heath Mills says it would feel more comfortable if the tournament was held in another country.

Meanwhile, five members of New Zealand's shooting team are already in New Delhi for a Commonwealth Games Championship. The Shooting Federation says they are safe, well and happy to be there.

Government monitoring situation

The New Zealand Government says it is monitoring the situation and is in contact with sporting bodies about future competitions this year, but those conversations are confidential.

Prime Minister John Key says the Government is not advising teams against travelling.

"The decision whether to travel or not ultimately rests with the sporting team. We wouldn't stop a sporting team going, but it is important we're able to give them the best information possible so that they can assess that."

The Labour Party says New Zealand should not give into the threat. Foreign affairs spokesperson Chris Carter says the Government will need to closely consult with Indian officials to ensure that New Zealanders are safe.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says there are no immediate plans to change its travel advice to India and security agencies are liaising closely with Indian authorities about the security threat.

313 Brigade

The threat is said to be from the commander of 313 Brigade, an operational arm of al Qaeda.

The group is implicated in the weekend bombing of a cafe popular with foreigners in the western city of Pune in which nine people died.

It is also thought to be involved in the Mumbai attacks in November 2008 in which 184 people were killed and 700 were wounded.