Stringent security measures have been taken by the Bangladesh Football Federation to ensure safe stay of the Argentina and Nigeria teams in Dhaka during their September 6 FIFA friendly.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police will co-ordinate the whole security programme with the help of the other related bodies like the BFF, CID, Civil Aviation, SWAT and Bomb Disposal Unit.
To ensure security the DMP has already asked the BFF to provide the details of the members of the visiting teams, places where the game will be shown on giant screens, Argentine and Nigerian people living in Bangladesh who are entitled to get free passes, the vendors who will sell food items in the gallery during the match, the drivers who will drive the vehicles carrying the players and officials, volunteers and the local and foreign media people.
The CID will be actively working in the match venue, practice venue, hotels and the other related areas while their Crime Scene Van will always be placed to deal with emergency situation if there is any. SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), an elite unit of Bangladesh police, will also be put on alert for emergency duty.
Armed Police Battalion will be working at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport along with the other members of the law enforcing agencies to make the arrival and the departure of the teams safe and swift.
ABPN and Special Branch of police have already taken the list of the persons who will receive the teams and officials.
Meanwhile, a lane of the road from the airport to the hotels will be kept free so that Lionel Messi and his companions can reach their destination quickly. A special team of police will also escort the teams to clear the way and the traffic in the related areas such as the match venue, practice venue and the hotels. Parking will also be controlled in those areas.
BFF vice-president and a member of the match organising committee Badal Roy said the whole area of the match venue Bangabandhu National Stadium will also be cleared for at least two days before the game. All the existing shops and the sports federation and association offices will remain closed at that time.
‘We sent a letter to the National Sports Council to keep the place empty at that time and they ensured the matter,’ said Badal.
He also said the vehicular traffic will be controlled from certain points near the Bangabandhu Stadium on the match day and no vehicles except the designated ones will be allowed to cross those points. Those who bought tickets for the match will have to take a short walk to the venue.
The spectators will not be allowed to take any bags and food items inside the stadium including water bottles.
‘No one needs to bring any food items as their will be at least 12 food courts in the gallery where people can have snacks using disposable cups and plates,’ Badal said.
Courtesy of New Age