Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers sign security agreement

The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), a not-for-profit sport security organisation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee to collaborate on safety and security planning, capabilities and infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The ICSS will support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee across a number of key areas including the development of an overarching Master Security Concept and training and capability building. The ICSS will support effective cooperation and liaison across Qatar2022 committees, projects and sub-contractors, ensuring safety and security considerations are embedded in line with the Master Security Concept.

ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab explained that "the ICSS's goal is to help event organizers stage safer major sporting events and we are delighted to have signed this important agreement with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee.

"The need to develop international standards for security procedures is more critical than ever and we look forward to sharing knowledge, expertise and best practice from around the globe with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, as well as studying and capturing knowledge capital before, during and after the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the benefit of future major sporting events."

Helmut Spahn, ICSS Executive Director and former Head of Security for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, who will be heading the ICSS team, commented "I am looking forward to working with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee to develop optimal safety and security planning for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We will support them in the development of a holistic and integrated approach to security management, ensuring safety and security considerations are at the heart of all event planning."

Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee General Secretary Hassan Al-Thawadi added "this is an important agreement for the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee. It is critical that safety and security planning is embedded from day one across all project planning, venue and infrastructure decisions. The ICSS has an unrivalled network of internationally recognised experts, including Helmut Spahn, former Head of Security at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup hosted in Germany, who will ensure we build on the successes and learnings from past major sporting events."

The agreement was signed at ASPIRE4SPORT 2011, the Middle East's leading sport business conference.

It followed an in-depth panel on 'Safety and Security', which featured Chris Eaton, FIFA Head of Security; Interpol President Khoo Boon Hui and Rick Parry, former Chief Executive of the English Premier League and Liverpool FC.

Commenting on the agreement, Chris Eaton (pictured below) concluded "safety and security is a vital element of all FIFA World Cups and we are pleased that the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has signed this agreement with the ICSS at such as early stage in its event planning." The ICSS is an international, not-for-profit institution that aims to help event organisers to stage safer major sporting events. The Centre's mission is to enhance security and safety in the world of sport by proactively addressing real issues and providing best-in-class training, research and tailored consulting in all aspects of sport security.

Based in Doha, the ICSS regularly organises events to encourage the creation of sport security networks and to drive new thinking.

The 1st International Sport Security Conference, jointly organised by the ICSS and QIASS (Qatar International Academy for Security Studies) took place in Doha in March of this year.

The 2nd International Sport Security Conference will take place in Doha on 14th and 15th March 2012 and will focus on 'Creating a Platform for Growth Through Safe Sporting Events'.

For futher information about next year's conference go to www.internationalsportsecurityconference.com

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