World Cup star voices fear for player safety at tournament after being targeted by thieves: ‘People are trying to come in on us in our rooms!’

Jamaican netball star Jhaniele Fowler has had a chilling experience ahead of the opening of the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, claiming thieves stole cash from her purse.

Fowler, who is the captain of her side, says she doesn’t feel safe and took to social media to share her ordeal. 

‘This is so unfortunate, this place isn’t safe,’ the 34-year-old wrote on Instagram.

‘First they stole money from my purse, now people (are) trying to come in on us in our rooms. Really!’

The 10-day event which is being hosted in South Africa starts on Friday, with 16 nations competing.

Fowler says she doesn’t feel safe at the event and took to Instagram to share her ordeal

The Jamaicans arrived at the tournament as one of the trophy favourites after winning silver at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Fowler is a key player for her side and has been in impressive form playing for the West Coast Fever in the Australian Super Netball league.

‘Our chances are very good for winning the World Cup. I am definitely going for gold, my team wants gold and we want to bring gold back to Jamaica,’ Fowler said earlier in the week.

‘Our aim is to be here until the end and be on that podium, but we have to take it one game at a time.

‘My mindset and mentality is to just go out there and be strong, be the dominant force that I am.

‘I think we need to continue to stay focused, to do what we did at the Commonwealth Games… but we’re going to do it a little better in the World Cup by making sure that we’re sticking together, that we are unified, and that we’re working as a team.’

The 10-day event which is being hosted in South Africa starts on Friday

Fowler is a key player for the Jamaican side side and has been in impressive form

The Aussies who are ranked No.1 have long dominated the tournament, winning 11-times since it was introduced in 1963.

The Diamonds will likely meet the Jamaicans in the semi-finals next week if both sides top their pool and preliminary round matches.

The likes of New Zealand and England and South Africa are also listed as favourites to take out Netball’s pinnacle event.