5 Mar 2009

Security levels to be raised for NZ sports teams

5:38 am on 5 March 2009

Hockey and football officials in New Zealand are taking a fresh look at security arrangements, following an ambush of the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan on Tuesday.

Before touring to India in January, the men's hockey team was briefed by international risk assessment specialists from the Chivalry Group.

Hockey New Zealand says such briefings are now a matter of course, and the organisation will consider sending a security company abroad with its teams in future.

New Zealand Football on Wednesday confirmed it has appointed a security agent to undertake risk analysis and meet new FIFA regulations.

NZF says the company has worked for the All Blacks and the Government, and the arrangement will keep players safe.

Chivalry Group managing director Doug McCaulay says intelligence-gathering should be an on-going process, rather than something that happens a few days before a tour.

Six police and two civilians were killed in the ambush in Lahore on Tuesday morning. Seven Sri Lankan players and an assistant coach were wounded.