COLOMBO, Sept 15: Sri Lankan police are keeping a close eye on women visiting cricketers playing in the Champions Trophy, alarmed at a surge in female fans flocking to the hotel to rendez-vous with their sporting heroes.

“We have a huge problem of tackling a large number of young women who chase cricketers and attempt to enter their rooms,” a senior police official said Sunday.

“We have recorded names and identities of all women who have visited the players’ rooms at the hotel and the number is increasing daily.”

He declined to say which team was hosting the most visitors.

Sri Lankan police have established a major presence at the Colombo hotel where players from 12 teams are staying as they play the Sept 12-29 Champions Trophy.

The International Cricket Council has already sought police help to ensure players do not throw matches.

In line with the council’s anti-corruption guidelines, police are surveying the grandstand at match venues, practice sessions and even the cricketers’ car park.

Plain-clothed security personnel are escorting batsmen up to the boundary line to prevent any player from seeking one last chance to make a deal with bookmakers.

The operation is considered a dress rehearsal before next year’s World Cup to be played in South Africa.—AFP