A jittery Team Canada arrived in India this week to participate in the 2010 World Cup Field Hockey tournament in New Delhi amidst terror threats directed at the event and assurances by the host nation that there is no reason for panic.
The quadrennial event involving 12 teams will be held from February 28 to March 13.
“We are happy with the security. It’s a bit stifling though with so many security personnel around,” Canadian coach Alan Brahmst told IANS after arriving in India.
“We are concerned but have been assured that all the necessary precautions have been taken…our focus now is to perform as best as we can,’ a Team Canada official told the South Asian Post after a send off dinner at the Copper Chimney restaurant in Vancouver last week.
He was commenting on a warning published by Asia Times Online, which said it had received a message from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al Qaeda.
It warned the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket competition involving international players and the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi this year.
“We warn the international community not to send their people to the 2010 Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth Games. Nor should their people visit India - if they do, they will be responsible for the consequences.
“We, the mujahedeen of 313 Brigade, vow to continue attacks all across India until the Indian Army leaves Kashmir and gives the Kashmiris their right of self-determination,” the warning sent by e-mail read.
Following the threat, a delegation from the Canadian High Commission as well as officials from other participating nations met with senior Indian police officials to discuss security measures at the Delhi Police Headquarters on Feb 19.
A follow up meeting between team officials from New Zealand, Britain and Australia was attended by  Deputy Canadian High Commissioner Jim Nickel.
Team Canada will be staying on a secured floor at the Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi’s Windsor Place and will be transported to the stadium with armed escorts.
Other security measures include;
• All members, staff and players are being registered with the Canadian High Commission in Delhi
• Team Canada will be linked to two High Commission security liaison people during the World Cup.
• There will be a team security orientation by the High Commission upon team arrival
• Team Manager Shiaz Virjee and Delegation head Hari Kant will be Team Canada leads with regard to security matters in Delhi
• Field Hockey Canada is compiling a list of friends/relatives travelling to Delhi who will receive an update if circumstances change while on the ground in Delhi
• Field Hockey Canada will continue to monitor the situation daily from India and from Canada
Further details of a security report have been distributed to the World Cup players and staff.  They outline the significant security preparations and liaison with the Canadian High Commission.
The security plan was reviewed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as Sport Canada.
Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also modified its travel advisory to India to include the following;
“This year, New Delhi will host the Hockey World Cup 2010 (February 28 to March 13) and the XIX Commonwealth Games (October 3 to 14). Travellers should expect delays and traffic disruptions in the lead-up to these events, as additional security measures will be implemented. Canadians planning to attend either event are strongly advised to register online and to plan well ahead of time. The High Commission of Canada cannot help travellers plan a visit to these sporting events.”
Meanwhile India has allayed security apprehensions of the hockey teams maintaining that it was pulling out all stops for the forthcoming World Cup.
Assuring security to sportspersons visiting India for the Hockey World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament that starts March 12, Home Minister P. Chidambaram stressed that militants would not be allowed to dictate terms.
“All security would be provided to players. No one would be allowed to dictate terms to us,” Chidambaram said at a press conference in Jammu after reviewing the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Hockey India (HI) president Vidya Stokes said no country had officially expressed any doubts about participation in the World Cup.
“There is no reason to panic. We are going to make them (teams) feel comfortable and secure in India,” Stokes told IANS.
“We are in touch with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and they have not expressed any apprehensions about security. FIH is dealing with the teams and they are satisfied with the arrangements,” Stokes said.
The Australian hockey team which had pondered over the issue of participating in the World Cup following the terror warning said it will now play in India.
“The information from all sources is consistent. The advice states that there is a strong commitment and tangible evidence of the authorities’ ability to implement robust security measures to ensure our team’s safety at all times,” Australian news agency AAP quoted Hockey Australia as saying in a statement.
The Kookaburras, Australia’s field hockey team, had pulled out of the 2004 Champions Trophy in Pakistan citing security fears.

Team Canada built on youth and experience

Team Canada will be led by national team veterans Rob Short of Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Ken Pereira of Unionville, Ontario, and Paul Wettlaufer of North Vancouver.
Relative newcomers and emerging young talents Taylor Curran, age 17 of North Vancouver, and Keegan Pereira, age 18 of Scarborough, Ontario, have also rightfully earned a spot.  With an average team age of 27 years and 114 international matches, Canada brings to their fifth World Cup tournament an appropriate blend of veteran leadership and youth.
Team Canada: Matthew Peck, Philip Wright, Scott Tupper, Jesse Watson, Richard Hildreth, Ken Pereira, Wayne Fernandes, David Jameson, Rob Short, Scott Sandison, Connor Grimes, Paul Wettlaufer, Mark Pearson, Ranjeev Deol, Keegan Pereira, Sukwinder (Gabbar) Singh, Taylor Curran, David Carter.

Field Hockey world rankings

1 Germany
2 Australia
3 Spain
4 Netherlands
5 Korea
6 England
7 Pakistan 
8 New Zealand
11 Canada
12  India 
13 South Africa
14 Argentina

Keep this in your pocket in India

All Canadians travelling to India for the World Cup are advised to keep the following address and contact information on their person at all times. 

India - NEW DELHI, High Commission of Canada
Address: 7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India 110021, India
Postal Address: P.O. Box 5207, New Delhi, India, 110021
Tel.: 91 (11) 4178-2000
Fax: 91 (11) 4178-2041
E-Mail: delhi.consular@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.india.gc.ca