Safety comes first at Standard Bank ODI's

The Standard Bank One-Day International matches between South Africa and Sri Lanka and South Africa and Pakistan this summer are being used as Pilot Projects for spectator safety systems which will be in place during next year's ICC Cricket World Cup.

The intention of these spectator safety measures is to ensure that all cricket fans can enjoy the game at grounds around South Africa in a secure environment. It is also important to ensure that the small minority of cricket "fans" who indulge in anti-social behaviour which interferes with the enjoyment of other spectators, are not tolerated.

International best safety and security practice demands that SA complies with current world trends at major sporting events, particularly in the light of the overall security scenario post September 11 2001.

With trained Security Officers in place around the country, spectators can also expect courteous assistance from the time their car is parked until they return home after an enjoyable day at the cricket with their families and/or friends.

Current international stadium security benchmarks dictate the replacement of manual ticketing systems with automated electronic ones. The current world security environment has meant the introduction of magnetometers (metal detectors) at access points to international sporting events. Given these new access control procedures, and in order to make entry to the ground as painless as possible, certain items that SA spectators have traditionally brought to cricket will not be allowed during CWC 2003 or during the Pilot Project matches. A comprehensive list of prohibited and restricted items has been published previously and is summarized on the accompanying page.

For example, no hard cooler-boxes, portable braais, deck-chairs or beach umbrellas will be allowed. No drinks whatsoever may be brought in. However, it's important to note that prohibited items will be provided inside the ground. Drinks can be bought at reasonable prices, braais will be available in designated areas and Standard Bank are generously providing large umbrellas for shade inside the grounds, especially for grass embankments.

The sale of liquor inside stadia will be limited to two 500ml draught beers in plastic glasses per person or two 200ml wine in plastic glasses per person per vendor visit. No hard liquor may be sold to spectators. Public bars will have a mandatory shut-down period between 13:00 and 14:30 during Day matches (16h00-18h00 for Day/Night matches) in an attempt to control the levels of inebriation within cricket stadiums.

Security Officers will for the first time be supported by digital CCTV surveillance cameras, with recording back-up inside and outside the grounds, plain clothed "spotters" amongst spectators, a high visibility police presence - all coordinated from a state-of-the-art Venue Operation Centre (VOC) in an effort to provide and facilitate pro-active security responses to prevent poor crowd behaviour incidents tarnishing South Africa's image.

Traffic flow information is available to all media to inform the public about traffic-free areas during the Standard Bank One-Day Internationals between South Africa and Sri Lanka this week. The Wanderers Map regarding traffic information at The Wanderers on Wednesday is published for spectators convenience.

No dangerous or potentially dangerous weapons (including realistic toys or replicas thereof) such as firearms, ammunition, knives (of any form or description), sharp instruments of any description, nunchaku sticks, baseball bats, traditional weapons etc shall be permitted to be brought onto the stadium grounds. This is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety and security of all persons as well as the prevention of injury or harm to any person, within the stadium or its precincts.

No fireworks shall be permitted to be brought into the stadium in order to ensure the interests of the safety and security of all persons within the stadium. Their nuisance component as well as a potential fire hazard is also thereby neutralized.

No explosives or detonators shall be permitted to be brought into the stadium in the interests of the safety and security of all persons as well as the prevention of injury or harm to any person, within the stadium or it's precincts.

No highly flammable items and in particular incendiary devices shall be permitted to be brought into the stadium. This is in the interests of the safety and security of all persons within the stadium. A potential fire hazard is also similarly neutralized.

No flares shall be permitted to be brought into the stadium in order to promote the interests of the safety and security of all persons within the stadium. A potential fire hazard is also neutralized.

No narcotics (other than as prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and supported by a valid prescription) shall be permitted to be brought into the stadium grounds. The illegal possession of narcotics constitutes a criminal offence.