Security Managers' Conference launches new Anti-Corruption Infrastructure for World Cricket

The five security specialists recruited by the ICC to help safeguard the international game from corruption are meeting in London this week, for an intensive induction conference.

The week-long programme has been organised and managed by the ICC Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) and marks the formal beginning of the Security Managers' employment with the ICC. From this point, they will attend all future ICC sanctioned international tours and tournaments.

International cricket has never before operated with a full time, professional security infrastructure. The conference will provide an in-depth briefing on all aspects of this new role, as well confidential briefings covering the investigative work of the ACU since its establishment in June 2000.

The appointment of Security Managers was one of the major recommendations put forward by Lord Condon's Anti Corruption Unit Report of April 2001 and accepted by the ICC Executive Board in June of the same year.

Lord Condon, Director of the ICC Anti Corruption Unit, said: "The international game now has a highly professional security infrastructure that will provide cricket with a discreet but effective long term deterrent. The aim is to rid cricket from corruption once and for all, but in a fashion that does not inhibit the enjoyment of players and those who follow the game."

Security Manager Profiles

Arrie de Beer (Assigned to South Africa and Zimbabwe)
Age: 47
Based: Johannesburg

A former senior police officer in South Africa, Arrie was the Superintendent in charge of the VIP Protection Unit for the South African Police in Pretoria.

Lt Col Nuruddin Khawaja (Assigned to Pakistan and Bangladesh)
Age: 49
Based: Lahore

After a successful and varied career spanning 28 years in the Pakistan army, Nuruddin joined the Pakistan Cricket Board in 1999 and has since worked as its Manager for Domestic Cricket. He completed a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Punjab University in 2000 and acted as the PCB's liaison officer with the Anti Corruption Unit during its visit to Pakistan last year.

John Rhodes (Assigned to Australia and New Zealand)
Age: 46
Based: Sydney

John was a serving Inspector with the New South Wales Police Force before accepting the new ICC post. His professional sporting links include a secondment from NSW Police to the Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee, touring with the Australian Rugby Union team as its Risk Management Advisor and representing his country in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do.

Bob Smalley (Assigned to England and the West Indies)
Age: 51
Based: London

Bob was a career police officer with the Metropolitan Police Force in London and spent six years on the personal staff of the Commissioner. He was an original member of the ICC Anti Corruption Unit and will now combine his role as Support Manager with that of Security Manager for England and the West Indies.

NS Virk (Assigned to India and Sri Lanka)
Age: 48
Based: New Delhi

A former Superintendent with India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), NS Virk was heavily involved in the investigative work that led to the publication of the major CBI Report into Cricket Match Fixing and Related Malpractices in November 2000.

Security Managers are contracted to the ICC on a full time basis and will attend each series or tournament held in their region. If both teams assigned to a Security Manager are playing at the same time, one of the other Managers will provide cover.

Media note: there will be limited media access to the ICC Security Managers conference on the morning of Friday, 14th June. All interview requests should go to Mark Harrison on 0787 944 1891 or 0207 266 7935.

Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 266 7935/1818
Mob: + 44 (0) 787 944 1891
Email: mark.harrison@icc-cricket.com

© ICC