Sports teams defy al Qaeda threat

Hockey NZ says it still plans to send the Black Sticks to next week's 2010 Hockey World Cup in India despite a threat from al Qaeda to "stay away".

Meanwhile one top Waikato sportswoman who is likely to attend October's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Silver Fern Laura Langman, said the terror threats were "very concerning".

Hockey NZ chief executive Hillary Poole told Radio NZ today the organisation was comfortable about sending the team but would continue to monitor the situation closely. "The security and safety of our team is paramount, and we are continuing to seek advice from our security advisers."

The Asia Times reported receiving the message on Monday from top guerrilla commander Ilyas Kashmiri, whose 313 Brigade is an operational arm of al-Qaeda. "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," the message read.

The terror warning, which included a vow to continue attacks, came two days after a bombing killed 10 people in western India.

The bombing was the first major strike on Indian soil since an assault on Mumbai in November 2008 which killed 166.

Langman said while the terrorist threats would always be in the back of her mind, she was determined to focus on her sporting goals. "But player welfare and safety must come first, and I know that we will not be taking any chances. It is a real worry, especially when you spend many years trying to achieve your sporting goals – to think that it could be jeopardised by terrorist threats is just awful."

Waikato-based Black Caps manager and Commonwealth Games chef de mission Dave Currie said he would await more details before making a response.

He said cricketers with IPL contracts – Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor – wouldn't be commenting this morning.

Five New Zealand athletes and a manager are on their way to the Commonwealth Shooting Championships in Delhi. NZ Shooting Federation spokesman Gavin Paton was awaiting an update.

NZ Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley promised security issues would be paramount as the games neared. "The word Al-Qaeda has got quite a bit of cut to it," he said.

NZ Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said sporting events in India had to be under threat. The association had employed a security expert to advise New Zealand players in the Indian Premier League tournament, which starts in mid-March.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the Government was monitoring the situation.

- with Faifax reporters

- © Fairfax NZ News