Organisers of the Youth World Cup cricket championship have played down fears that the tournament in Sri Lanka might have to be altered or abandoned in the wake of increased terrorist attacks.

Four Bermudian youngsters, Stephen Outerbridge, OJ Minors, Chris Foggo and Landro Minors are in the Americas squad taking part in the 16-nation competition, which is due to begin on Tuesday and the team is being managed by Bermuda Cricket Board of Control administrator Michael Glasford.

The quintet left the Island on January 3 and will remain in Sri Lanka until the team, also including Americans, Canadians and Argentinians, are eliminated.

Last night, the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council said that the event would go ahead as scheduled despite a rise in attacks by Tamil Tiger separatists, who have carried out three bombings in the capital, Colombo, in recent weeks. The rebels want a homeland for the minority Tamils.

"Most definitely the tournament is on,'' Ross Turner, a cricket development manager with the ICC said. "I can say that the tournament will be well organized and there are no problems,'' Neither Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James nor Youth and Sports Minister Dennis Lister were available to comment on the safety situation yesterday.

The 16 teams from across the world are due to play 54 matches during the competition, which ends on January 28. The Americas team has been placed in a tough group alongside England, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies.

Off spinner Outerbridge was selected for the senior squad which played in the Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica in October and November, although he did not get a game.

The World Youth Cup, for the under-19 age group, is held every two years, but this will be the only time a combined Americas squad is allowed to compete. In the future, teams in the region will meet in qualifying rounds to determine which country will advance to the finals.

Bermuda representative: Landro Minors is in Sri Lanka