The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the not-for-profit sport security organisation, yesterday 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 co-operation and liaison across Qatar 2022 committees, projects and sub-contractors, ensuring safety and security considerations are embedded in line with the Master Security Concept. Mohamed Hanzab, president of the ICSS, said: “The ICSS’ goal is to help event organisers 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.” Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary general, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, said: “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 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 learn 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, head of security, Fifa, Khoo Boon Hui, president of Interpol and Rick Parry, former CEO of the English Premier League and Liverpool FC. Commenting on the agreement, Eaton said: “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 an early stage in its event planning.” http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=469725&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

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