Pakistan safe place to host sporting events: Lokuge

KARACHI, Feb 21: Asserting that Pakistan is a safe place to host sporting events, Sri Lankan Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge says his country will give its allout support to Pakistan in staging the 2011 World Cup in a befitting manner.

“Pakistan supported us in staging the 1996 World Cup in our country. Now we will not forget our friends. Every part of the world has been hit by terrorists,” Lokuge, who is on a visit here on invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said while talking to reporters at the National Stadium.

Stressing that Asia’s cricket playing countries should not abandon playing in Pakistan, he said all the other teams should also visit Pakistan.

“We are playing cricket here safely. If there had been any security problems then I wouldn’t be visiting here. I came here so that a positive message could be sent to the world that Sri Lankan team is visiting Pakistan with its sports minister,” Lokuge said.

“We didn’t split the series under Indian cricket board pressure. The reason is that we have good relations with everyone,” the minister said.

Lokuge said Pakistan is “a safe place to host sporting events”, adding that the Sri Lankan government has trusted Pakistan regarding the security of the (Sri Lankan) cricket team.

Sri Lankan cricketers are currently touring Pakistan for a twomatch Test series. It is their second leg of the Pakistan tour since January when they visited Pakistan for a five-match One day International series.

He was confident that four South Asian Test-playing nations – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – will successfully host the World Cup in 2011.

On the ICC Champions Trophy, Lokuge said Sri Lanka was confident that it will successfully host the prestigious event later this year.

“They [ICC] wanted to take the tournament to Dubai but we said since Sri Lanka is the alternative venue it should be hosted by us. Now the Champions Trophy will be held in Sri Lanka and it will be confirmed after sorting out details of the weather conditions there”