Bomb squad called to Guyana

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from West Indies

BOMB THREAT: There has been a bomb threat here in Guyana and the local organisers are taking every step to see to the safety of all coming to watch the Super 8 matches being played. Clement Rohee, Home Affairs Minister announced that an eight-member bomb squad from India is in Guyana to avert any threat.

Bomb experts were seen at the Providence Stadium conducting sweeps to detect if any explosive devices were planted in and around the stadium.

According to Rohee, bomb squad has also made sweeps at other areas and hotels where the media, the teams, officials and sponsors are staying.

Also stationed at the stadium are two canine handlers from Trinidad and Tobago as part of the regional security arrangements according to the Minister of Home Affairs.

Armed with rifles and bullet proof vests, policemen were seen patrolling the streets of George town and along the East Bank Demerara corridor. Known as the land of many rivers, Guyana is determined to silence the critics and put on show a successful Super 8 tournament.

Volunteers traumatised

The good work done by the Organising Committee were somewhat sullied when two volunteers complained that they had lost cash and jewellery.

Other volunteers were shocked when they were physically searched for money and jewellery.

One volunteer who could not understand the search said that after the Sri Lanka-South Africa game, 300-odd volunteers were debriefed and later recalled and an officer in charge had told them that one volunteer had lost dollars 25 thousand from her handbag and another had lost a pair of gold earnings. And so the search.

Good media arrangements

Contrary to the media release that mediamen would have to face challenges in the media centre at the Guyana Stadium, it must be said to the credit of the organisers that everything was tickety boo.

The media had everything at their disposal and there were no reasons for complaint.

But as usual in an event of this magnitude, there comes a big contingent of journalists from all fields, and it would have been a bit disconcerting for some journalists to based in the Media Accreditation Centre.But that is how things go?

Guyana, Friday