May 21 - New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games team is prepared to pull out of New Delhi 2010 if it does not receive assurances on security in the Indian capital from organisers.

 

Chef de Mission Dave Currie told insidethegames that the Kiwis are confident of attending the biggest sporting event ever to be staged on the sub-continent, and want to “make a stand” against terrorism, but that the safety of athletes is paramount and that he and the team would be guided by the recommendations of the local organisers and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

 

He said: “You have got to have faith in the extraordinary level of work which goes on around major Games security.

 

"We will be guided by the organising committee and the Commonwealth Games Federations.

 

"If they say, 'No, we feel it’s not safe for the Games to take place there', we will have to abide by that.

 

“Things can quickly unravel unless you get the best information from a central source because the Commonwealth Games, Olympics, cricket, sport in general could be placed in a state of siege.

 

"This must not be allowed to happen, I feel that we all have to make a stand, otherwise international sport just won’t happen."

 

Currie (pictured), who is preparing for his third Commonwealth Games in the role, reported that he had travelled to Delhi and sees no reason why the Games should not go ahead in the northern Indian city, despite the terrorist attack in Mumbai, the targeting of the Sri Lanka cricket team by extremists in Lahore, and the decision of the International Cricket Council to ditch plans to hold World Cup matches in nearby Pakistan, citing security fears.

 

Australia and Wales have both expressed concerns about travelling to India for the Games.

 

Currie said: “You have to be pragmatic about it.

 

"I made a site visit to Delhi recently and felt safe wandering around the city.

 

"However, the Pakistan border is not that far away and you can’t get away from what happened in Mumbai.

 

“We will have a policeman with us on the team whose sole role will be security and you have to be reliant on the advice you receive.

 

"The safety of the teams and athletes is our major concern and you’ve got to keep an eye on it.

 

“Ever since the 1972 Munich Olympics, sport has had to be aware of security.

 

"Before it was a no go area for terrorist activity and it has had an impact on sport.

 

"There’s a dichotomy...Should we not go anywhere?

 

"Should we not play sport?

 

"But that’s what the terrorists want and we can’t have that.”

 

Currie gave a ringing endorsement of security around London 2012.

 

Many have voiced concerns that Britain’s high profile in the fight against terrorism could see the Games sabotaged, but Currie scotched those thoughts – citing the venue plan as a real comfort to visiting teams.

 

He said: “I have never seen a Games with such a cluster of venues in such a small area.

 

"I believe there will be an effective ring around London which will be very difficult to break through.