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Football Matches Should Get Same Security As Cricket Fixtures - Lajong Secretary
Mr.Sawyan was speaking after a bomb was found at Viva Kerala's ground in Kozhikode...
05-Nov-2009 8:20:41 PM
After the shocking revelation that a bomb was planted inside Viva Kerala's stadium in Kozhikode prior to the game against East Bengal, security arrangements for I-League games have come under the scanner.
Larsing Ming Sawyan, General Secretary of Shillong Lajong, was stunned on hearing the news, but called for proper enquiry into the incident first, while recognizing it as an eye opener for one and all.
Speaking to Goal.com, Sawyan said, "I'm really shocked, but it's important to understand what elements are behind such an action. It can be a miscreant, or a result of some local politics, or even something bigger. Therefore we must understand the level of seriousness first."
However, he did add that more security measures must be in place. "It definitely is an eye opener for all of us. The government will have to take greater action now, and provide better security cover for football matches", he said.
The man was of the view that security for I-League games should be on par with international cricket fixtures, which take place regularly in the country without any hiccups.
"The best thing to do would be to follow security measures that are taken for cricket matches in the country. I think that's the best way forward.
"Those matches are held in cities where football games are also played, so the same personnel can provide security for I-League games."
While for his own club, which is based in Shillong, Sawyan said that personnel from Guwahati could give proper instructions on how to increase security cover at Lajong's stadium.
Speaking about the measures in place at Lajong's ground, where 30,000 people turn up for every game, Sawyan said, "Frisking is done for every spectator entering the ground, although we don't have metal detectors in place at the moment. But we make sure that a group of sniffer dogs along with the police survey the ground on the morning of the game."
On the whole, more than 200 security personnel are present in and around the stadium before every home game in Lajong, however, Sawyan is waiting before thinking of increasing that number post the Kozhikode incident.
"Like I said, if the Kozhikode incident turns out to be very serious, the home ministry will be well intimated, and security forces will be put into action", he concluded.
Hopefully, all clubs in the country take this incident as an eye-opener, and that we don't see such a security lapse again.
Atishay Agarwal
Larsing Ming Sawyan, General Secretary of Shillong Lajong, was stunned on hearing the news, but called for proper enquiry into the incident first, while recognizing it as an eye opener for one and all.
Speaking to Goal.com, Sawyan said, "I'm really shocked, but it's important to understand what elements are behind such an action. It can be a miscreant, or a result of some local politics, or even something bigger. Therefore we must understand the level of seriousness first."
However, he did add that more security measures must be in place. "It definitely is an eye opener for all of us. The government will have to take greater action now, and provide better security cover for football matches", he said.
The man was of the view that security for I-League games should be on par with international cricket fixtures, which take place regularly in the country without any hiccups.
"The best thing to do would be to follow security measures that are taken for cricket matches in the country. I think that's the best way forward.
"Those matches are held in cities where football games are also played, so the same personnel can provide security for I-League games."
While for his own club, which is based in Shillong, Sawyan said that personnel from Guwahati could give proper instructions on how to increase security cover at Lajong's stadium.
Speaking about the measures in place at Lajong's ground, where 30,000 people turn up for every game, Sawyan said, "Frisking is done for every spectator entering the ground, although we don't have metal detectors in place at the moment. But we make sure that a group of sniffer dogs along with the police survey the ground on the morning of the game."
On the whole, more than 200 security personnel are present in and around the stadium before every home game in Lajong, however, Sawyan is waiting before thinking of increasing that number post the Kozhikode incident.
"Like I said, if the Kozhikode incident turns out to be very serious, the home ministry will be well intimated, and security forces will be put into action", he concluded.
Hopefully, all clubs in the country take this incident as an eye-opener, and that we don't see such a security lapse again.
Atishay Agarwal
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