ICSS

ICSS, CAF and UNITAR celebrate of 1st batch of certified practitioners of their joint Training and Advanced Education Programme for the Safety and Security of the African Football

Admin-ICSS — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 06:40:29 +0000

The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) together with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) celebrated the first batch of certified practitioners of the ‘Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme’ in an online certification ceremony.

The internationally certified programme aims to enhance, develop, and strengthen the knowledge, skills, abilities, processes and resources of safety and security professionals to strengthen the safety and security of sport in Africa with a main focus on football competitions.

The event highlighted the learning journeys of 25 students from African football federations, leagues, and clubs.

The alumni shared remarkable experiences and how the programme shaped their professional careers as safety and security professionals in African football federations, leagues, and clubs.

Commenting on this occasion, Massimiliano Montanari, ICSS CEO, said: ““It was great meeting the first sport safety and security practitioners able to successfully complete our online courses, the first ever training jointly certified by CAF, UNITAR and the ICSS.

We welcome other security professionals to join and wish the best continuation to our amazing alumni.”

Dr Christian Emeruwa, CAF Head of Safety and Security, said: “Sport transcends cultural barriers; it unites people and promotes harmony. However, to preserve its positive effects, the safety and security of sport is crucial. It requires specific expertise, continuous training, and unwavering commitment for excellence and this is why we are proud to have been part of this initiative of developing the CAF-ICSS-UNITAR Advanced sport safety and security professional course to prepare current and future operators in the industry.”

Julio Andrade, Associate Director, UNITAR’s CIFAL Global Network, said: “The CIFAL Global Network of the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) have the great pleasure to join the ICSS and the CAF in the Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme Virtual Certification Ceremony.

On behalf of UNITAR, I would like to congratulate all the participants who have successfully completed the courses and will receive our certificates of achievement. We have the strong commitment to continue our partnership with both institutions for new programs at the same time that we aim to scale this successful capacity building initiative to engage other regional partners.”

Graduating from the Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme brought a lot of emotions for the participants.

Jamil Sewanya, Managing Director at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda, a CAF and FIFA Safety and Security Officer, said: ”Studying on the Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme has enabled me to gain knowledge and skills required for managing safety and security in football events. The faculty and lectures are outstanding. I have employed the knowledge and skills at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda and during CAF missions. I would recommend this program to everyone working in the safety and security industry.”

Parmendra Nunkoo from Mauritius Football Association said graduating brings a mix of emotions while he felt honoured for having completed the courses which helped him to have a better approach during his assignment as safety and security officer. For her side, Xolile Nokuthula Vilakati, CAF Safety and Security Officer, from the Kingdom of Eswatini, said: “The programme has been an incredible opportunity for me to develop my leadership skills and enhance my professionalism in my daily duties in the implementation and leading of safety and security operations on all CAF Events.”

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Qatar Stars League in co-operation with the ICSS organizes sports integrity workshop

Admin-ICSS — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:18:37 +0000

The Qatar Stars League (QSL), in co-operation with the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), organized a sports integrity workshop – via video communication technology – with the participation of players and technical as well as administrative staff of league clubs – Expo Stars League and Second Division clubs.

Mr. Hani Taleb Ballan, CEO of QSL, and Mr. Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of ICSS, were also present in addition to a number of officials and stakeholders.

During the workshop, the agenda topics were reviewed, and the dangers and harms of tampering with results of matches were emphasized, which would have serious repercussions on competition in football, as well as the importance of integrity and fair play, and application of the principle of equal opportunities among all competing teams.

Mr. Hani, while delivering the opening speech, said, “We’re pleased to co-operate again with ICSS in organizing this workshop, through which we sought to consolidate the principle of integrity and dangers of manipulating results, and we emphasize that our ideas converge towards one idea and one goal, which is integrity in football.”

The QSL CEO pointed out that in view of the discussions and declared objectives, QSL stresses that it would not tolerate any behaviour that threatens the integrity of football competitions and “we affirm our commitment to keep working accurately and transparently with all parties concerned to ensure the integrity of competitions. This is to maintain the highest standards of integrity in football.”

The workshop came in line with QSL’s efforts to help clubs meet the Asian Football Confederation’s requirements for Club Licensing.

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The Brazilian Football Confederation and the International Centre for Sport Security signs at Wembley Stadium landmark Cooperation Agreement to Protect the Integrity of Football

Admin-ICSS — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 19:27:52 +0000

London, Wembley Stadium, 22 March 2024– The Brazilian Football Confederation (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol, CBF) and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) signed today a landmark Cooperation Agreement to protect Brazilian football from match-fixing and other threats to its integrity.

CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues Gomes publicly disclosed last year his plans designed with FIFA and CONMEBOL to work with the ICSS and other stakeholders as well as his determination to put an end to any threat to sport integrity in an open letter addressed to the President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, paving the path towards the implementation of a massive national plan to preserve and promote the integrity of football, asking Brazil to sign the Macolin Convention and establish a National Platform as the key national hub dedicated to the co-ordination of the fight against competition manipulation.

As a part of this plan and aligned with FIFA and CONMEBOL, CBF has requested the ICSS to work together on the development of CBF overarching strategy to combat match-fixing, and especially on a national educational and training programmes for the benefit of the Brazilian football athletes, officials, leagues, clubs at all levels and the Confederation itself.

The Cooperation Agreement also envisages activities at the grassroots level to instill the values of football within youth and children, as well as the development of an awareness campaign involving influential Brazilian football players and football legends.

Moreover, the agreement set the basis for Brazil as an incubator for best practices that can foster joint international cooperation activities in support of other federations and nations willing to strengthen their sport integrity systems.

During the signing ceremony CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues Gomes said: “As I wrote in my letter to President Lula, the CBF adopts the same measures put in place by the main sports organizations in the world for the protection of the integrity of sport and we are structuring, with the reference of FIFA and CONMEBOL, a series of our own initiatives to combat match-fixing, including in conjunction with the International Centre for Sport Safety (ICSS), the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) and an Investigation Task Force to support public authorities in their mission to prosecute criminals who act in the manipulation of sports results. We aim to secure enough resources to make the largest investment in the world that a sport organization has ever made to protect integrity, consolidating the role of CBF as an incubator of good practices in this area.”

ICSS Chairman Mohammed Hanzab added: “When CBF told us about their plans to position Brazil, with its over 200 million inhabitants and many more Brazilian Football fans around the world, as an international benchmark in the field of integrity, we understood there was a unique opportunity to put into practice, on the ground, all the knowledge and the instruments we have developed in the last twelve years. Jointly with CBF, we decided to sign our agreement here in Wembley, one of the most symbolic places of football in the world, to highlight the global dimension of our initiative and of the issues we want to tackle.”

ICSS CEO Massimiliano Montanari concluded by saying: “It is the second time we have the opportunity to work in Brazil. First time was during the preparations of the FIFA World Cup 2024 and the Olympics of Rio de Janeiro when we implemented jointly with both international and national authorities a multi-year programme to protect children from risks associated to major sporting events. Also, this time, youth and children will be among the main beneficiaries by preserving the purity of the Brazilian football, and making sure they will always be inspired by their idols as role models from a world of football free of manipulations, fictions, and other integrity threats.”

The signing of the agreement took place at Wembley Stadium in London, the day before a football match between the national football teams of Brazil and England.

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League of Arab States honors ICSS Chairman on first ever Arab Sustainability Day

Admin-ICSS — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 19:02:58 +0000

Mr. Mohammed Hanzab, Founder and Chairman of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), received on Sunday official recognition by the League of Arab States, in honor of his work and achievements in the field of sport for peace and development and the organization’s commitment to promote sport values across nations since its inception in 2010.

The recognition was announced during a ceremony organized by the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States on the occasion of the first commemoration of the Arab Sustainability Day launched in the context of Arab efforts to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan.

The event, which took place in the headquarters of the League, based in Cairo, was held under the theme of “Pioneers of Sustainability in the Arab region” and featured, inter alia, a session on “Entrepreneurship in the era of sustainability” and a competition between young entrepreneurs in the areas of sustainability.

The list of the honored personalities also features several dignitaries, including H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States and Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt, along with Pan-Arab officials and representatives of public and private sectors and civil society.

In his keynote speech at the plenary session, H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit lauded Mr. Hanzab’s contributions in protecting values of sport and sport integrity as part of the ICSS’s continued efforts in implementing and introducing innovative sport-based initiatives and projects.

For her part, H.E. Ambassador Nada El Agizy, Director of the Sustainable Development and International Cooperation at the League of Arab States, said honoring the ICSS Chairman and pioneer dignitaries from the Arab world reflects the Arab League’s keenness to promote the efforts exerted by key peoples and organisations in the Arab region to achieve sustainable development goals.

In this context, she said that the ICSS’s Save the Dream global initiative should serve as a role model in the Arab world to promote the core values of sport and to empower youth through sport.

“The League of Arab States is looking forward to working closely with the Doha-based ICSS to explore the best means of promoting sustainable development through sport, using sport as a tool to achieve sustainable development and to empower youth across the Arab countries,” she concluded.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Mohammed Hanzab, Founder and Chairman of the ICSS expressed his deepest thanks and gratitude to H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, praising the launch of the Arab Sustainability Day initiated by the League of Arab States.

“This is the right time to bring together pan-Arab efforts to promote infrastructure of sport-based economy and to use sport as a tool to inspire youth across the Arab World,” Mr. Hanzab said.

Mr. Hanzab also affirmed the ICSS’s firm commitment to join hands with the League of Arab States to ensure the best use of sport as enabler for social change, prevent violent extremism and achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan set by the Arab League.

In his role as the Chairman of the ICSS, Mr. Hanzab has endorsed several agreements with governmental, non-governmental, sport organisations and the scientific community – all as part of his commitment to fulfilling his mission for the ICSS to be a service to sport and to play a central role in keeping sport safe, secure and fair.

In 2013, under his leadership, the ICSS with the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Ooredoo as Technology Partner launched Save the Dream, a global initiative designed to promote and protect the core values of sport for the good of youth and future generations.

In 2014, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations endorsed the appointment of Mohammed Hanzab as member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).

Since 2021, Mr. Hanzab was re-elected as Vice-Chairman of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), a coalition of international private-public organisations co-founded by the ICSS to tackle the numerous and urgent governance challenges facing sport.

Mohammed Hanzab’s work to drive integrity in sport was recognised in 2015 when he was named as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics, an annual, internationally recognised list that defines and advances the standards of ethical business practices.

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ICSS calls for more women in decision making roles in sport at ICESCO Forum

Admin-ICSS — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 06:26:11 +0000

In a step towards empowering girls and women around the world in the field of sport, the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) called for promoting women’s representation in decision-making processes in sport and breaking the glass ceiling to allow their access to leadership positions.

This came during the ICSS‘s participation in the first Forum on “Women in Sport” organized recently by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat in the presence of women pioneers from different countries across the world.

The event has envisaged intervention of Mrs. Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General, H.E Mr. Yankhoba Diattara, Minister of Sport, Republic of Senegal, Mrs. Filomena Fortes, IOC Member, President, Cabo Verde National Olympic Committee, Mrs. Laura Stéphanie Georges, Secretary General, French Football Federation, Mrs Kaiznat Ibrahim, Vice President Confederation of African Football (CAF), H.E Dr. Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports in the Kingdom of Morocco, Dr. Salim M. Al Malik, ICESCO Director General and Mr. El Hadj Diouf, former International professional Footballer, Sports Advisor to the President of Senegal, as well as high level representative from the Conférence des Ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports de la Francophonie (CONFEJES), ministries of sport and national Olympic committees from the Islamic World, amounts others.

This first forum highlighted the exceptional leadership of women in sport and the role of sport as a tool for social development, peace building, combating all forms of violence and discrimination against women and reducing gender disparities.

The event provided recommendations to enrich public policies aimed at strengthening women’s participation in this field, in addition to facilitating learning and the exchange of experiences among women leaders.

Addressing the Forum, Honey Thaljieh, the first captain of the Palestinian women’s national team, co-founder of women’s football in Palestine and Save the Dream Ambassador, drew on her experience in football to highlight the power sports has to promote promoting peace, diversity and gender equality.

Mr. Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of the ICSS, said: “Increasing women participation in decision-making bodies of sport federations is not just important in terms of protecting women’s rights and opportunities, but it also means increasing the level of integrity in the world of sport. According to some studies, women are in fact less vulnerable to the appeal of corruption.

Women continue to be key players with regard to sport for development and peace. At the ICSS and at Save the Dream, we have the privilege to work with a number of sports for peace women activists like Suad Gallow, Tegla Loroupe, Honey Thaljieh, Norma Bastidas, and many others, and to witness their amazing achievements and capacity to have impact in the most vulnerable groups and underserved communities.”

Mr. Diogo Guia, Executive-Director ICSS Europe, said:” Promoting women’s participation in the decision-making process in sports will consolidate the promotion of the values of peace respect and tolerance in local communities. Empowering women in sport is one of the most effective ways to fight against all forms of gender-based violence.

At the ICSS, we are conducting many programmes to promote sport among vulnerable people and beyond in order to create a feeling of inclusion in society.”

ICESCO is an international non-profit organization emanating from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), specializing in the fields of education, science, culture and communication in Islamic countries in order to support and strengthen relations among Member States. The Organization’s headquarters is located in Rabat, Morocco.

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The world of sport integrity mourns the loss of President Franco Frattini

Admin-ICSS — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 16:36:54 +0000

Franco Frattini, who has been serving since January 2022 as President of the Council of State of Italy and had chaired since 2017 till recently the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), died on Saturday at the age of 65.

Franco Frattini served twice as Former Italian Foreign Minister and as Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security from 2004 to 2008.

“Magistrate Franco Frattini held our hand when we were still in our baby steps and supported our efforts to establish and operate, under his visionary chairmanship, the Sport Integrity Global Alliance. We were privileged to have the opportunity to work next to a leader able to transform challenges into opportunities and to firmly remind the world that integrity in sport is the only option. Franco Frattini always put the institution first, he always prioritized the common good. We will remain grateful to him forever”, Mr. Mohammed Hanzab, Chairman of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and Vice-Chairman of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), said.

Passionate about sport, Franco Frattini also served for several years as the President of the High Court of Sport Justice of Italy.

He was appointed “Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic”, and “Commander of the Legion of honour” by the President of France. In 2011, he received the Golden neck-chain of the Olympic Order, the highest honour of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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ICSS participates in the ASEAN-UN Regional Youth Forum on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport

Admin-ICSS — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 11:24:43 +0000

The Doha-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) took part in the Regional Youth Forum on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport held recently in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Regional Youth Forum was jointly organized by the United Nations Global Programme on Security of Major Sporting Events and Promotion of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism (“Global Sports Programme), led by UNOCT and its partners, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), as well as the ASEAN Secretariat, through the endorsement of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS).

The Forum, which was held at the Conference Centre of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), brought together youth leaders from ASEAN Member States, athletes, senior experts on youth, education and sports and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), the Royal Thai Police and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In his opening remarks, Mr. Valerio de Divitiis, Programme Coordinator for the UNOCT Global Sports Programme underlined the significance of the ASEAN-UN Regional Youth Forum on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport. He highlighted that young people from across the ASEAN region help achieve peace and security objectives, using sport and its values to build resilience to violent extremism.

In his opening statement, Mr. Hernan Longo, UNOCT Regional Programme Coordinator for South-East Asia, contextualized the event as part of UNOCT’s and the wider UN system’s initiatives to engage and empower youth in PCVE efforts.

Addressing the Opening Session on behalf of the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Roger Yap Chao Jr, Assistant Director and Head of Education, Youth and Sports Division, highlighted the recently adopted ASEAN Declaration on Leveraging the Role of Sports in ASEAN Community-Building and Achieving the SDGs. The strategic document declares a commitment to explore innovations to enhance the contribution of sports to ASEAN Community-building as well as the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through the inclusion and empowerment of societies through sports. He further emphasized the critical role of youth with the support of government stakeholders in using sports in the region as a platform to promote peace, in line with ASEAN’s initiatives on preventing and countering the rise of radicalization and violent extremism.

During his intervention, the Chair of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sport, Dr. Niwat Limsuknirun, Director General at the Thailand Department of Physical Education, commended the organization of the Forum, congratulated the youth participants for their enthusiastic commitment and stressed how investing on sport leads to positive results for peace across the ASEAN region.

Mr. Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of ICSS, said: “This Youth Forum provides a precious opportunity to align fresh ideas of youth leaders with the inspirational role of experienced policy and decision-makers on how to utilize sport to prevent violent extremism and to optimize the opportunities offered by major sporting events to integrate community at risks. Youth leaders play a fundamental role in enhancing national and international policies, particularly when they are related to a topic which is essential for their life, like sport.”

Mr. Pok Leaksmy, an Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports from Cambodia, emphasized that major sports events are an opportunity for positive messaging. “My country will host South East Asia Games in 2023. We will work for this event to be a platform for positive messaging to young people in across the region, inspired by the findings of today’s forum and the Global Sports Programme. Sport is more than a game and its values to foster peaceful society and prevent attraction to violent extremism”.

Ms. Sophia Valencia, a youth participant from the Philippines, expressed her enthusiasm about being a part of a pivotal movement that could legitimately bring about change in the current society. She also highlighted the consensus reached by the day 1 forum, where youth leaders and athletes agreed that PVE policy recommendations must have key points on representation, accessibility, inclusivity, and positive values. Valencia expressed her confidence on the youth participants’ ability to present feasible, groundbreaking, and progressive policy recommendations.

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UNICRI, UNOCT and ICSS organize the first National Focal Points Regional Forum for Africa

Admin-ICSS — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:08:14 +0000

The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and its partners the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) along with representatives of the Republic of Senegal joined forces to host the first National Focal Points (NFPs) Regional Forum for Africa.

The event, which took place in Dakar, Senegal on 30 November-1 December, aims to be a reference event in Africa to engage high level policy-makers, stakeholders and youth in terms of major sporting events (MSE) and to build resilience to violent extremism.

The Forum was organized within the framework of the multi-year Global Programme on the Security Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism (Global Sports Programme), an initiative supported by the State of Qatar, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea as donors.

The Global Programme is aimed at strengthening the protection of MSE through enhanced international cooperation and sustainable security approaches, while promoting the values of sport as a powerful means to counterterrorism and prevent violent extremism.

During the two-day event, partners have introduced the Global Sports Programme and the Global Guide on the Security of Major Sporting Events: Promoting Sustainable Security & Legacies produced by the Global Programme.

The Forum was an opportunity to overview Global Sports Programme’s security outputs and national perspectives on sport for preventing violent extremism. It also provided an e-training and practical group exercise to help participants understand in greater depth how to identify challenges on major sport events safety and security and prevention of extremism using the values of sport as elaborated by the Global Sports Programme, paving the way for future integrated workshops and training for African countries.

Diogo Guia, Director of Sport Public Policy, ICSS, said: “This Forum, which kicks start a new partnership with African countries, offers a unique opportunity in supporting them to build national capacities in terms of sport security and the use of sport to prevent violent extremism.

The Global Programme is gaining pace as more and more to provide assistance in this field to many countries such as Cameron, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Maldives.

We reaffirm our strong commitment to continuing to provide technical assistance and enhance policy coordination and practical cooperation towards making instruments of security of major sporting events and the use of sport to combat extremism more inclusive.”

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With only 2 days to go for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Launch of the #MoreThanAGame Media Campaign

Admin-ICSS — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 10:38:37 +0000

The #MoreThanAGame media campaign was launched today with a roundtable discussion, as part of Generation Amazing Foundation’s annual Youth Festival, during which inspiring community leaders were able to share their stories of how sport positively changed their lives with more than 100 youth training to be future practitioners in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE) and promotion of peace.

Featuring Professional footballer Dr. Nadia Nadim, the event was organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Global Sports Programme and co-hosted by the Generation Amazing Foundation on the margins of the Goal 2022 festival. The panel launched the programme’s #MoreThanAGame media campaign and fielded questions from 120 young people representing the 32 nations participating in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The #MoreThanAGame campaign is a key initiative of UNOCT’s Global Sports Programme and its co-implementing partners, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS). The campaign aims to promote the potential of sport as a force for good by highlighting the stories of professional athletes and inspiring young people from around the globe during major sporting events. It also includes “Golden Ticket” events where exemplary young people have the opportunity to join a professional athlete in a conversation to share how sports improved their lives.

This event kicked off the first edition of the campaign. It took place on the occasion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was supported by Generation Amazing, the human and social legacy programme of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy that has positively impacted more than one million people globally since its launch during Qatar’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mauro Miedico, Deputy Director, UNCCT and Chief, Special Projects and Innovation Branch of UNOCT expressed the Office’s appreciation for the State of Qatar’s generous support of the Global Sports Programme, which aims to strengthen protective measures for major sporting events as well as promote sport and its values as common goods for humanity, which help foster community cohesion and resilience to violent ideologies. During his speech, Mr. Miedico highlighted how “Sport inspires people to be better, aim higher, and go further, reaching beyond borders to become a common language of peace for all”.

Mr. Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) said: “Our campaign complements three years of work to inspire the advancement of global and national policies to secure sport and promote its values as a strategy to prevent violent extremism. Three years of hard work with policy and decision-makers and in support of law enforcement agencies, organizers, and civil society. The campaign and the exemplary testimony of sports champions like Nadia Nadim, form an integral part of the holistic approach we have embraced with the Global Programme. It reminds us of the unique capacity of sport to unite where there is division, and to create opportunities where there is despair.”

Mr. Nasser Al-Khori, Executive Director, Generation Amazing Foundation, said: “Generation Amazing Foundations’ mission is to inspire and provide life-changing opportunities for underserved youth from all over the world through the power of football. Inspiring stories like that of Dr. Nadia Nadim’s and of the panellists showcase the many ways football can truly impact lives and communities. We at Generation Amazing Foundation are proud to host this panel and the launch of MoreThanAGame campaign during our annual Youth Festival. The campaign personifies what GA represents as an organisation, not only to provide opportunity and empowerment through football but to amplify the stories of those impacted. Our global programmes also focus on developing safe spaces for youth and we, along with UNOCT, believe that when used effectively, sport and major sporting events can foster a climate of peace, and that youth participation in the development and implementation of sport-based PVE programmes and policies is crucial in this regard.”

During the panel discussion moderated by Mr. Miedico, Dr. Nadia Nadim, professional footballer, told personal anecdotes on how sport helped her overcome the difficulties of her childhood to become a world-renowned star on the pitch as well a medical doctor in the time she spent without her kit on. Speaking on her experience with the power of sport, Dr. Nadim emphasized, “football came to me at a difficult time, and I used it as my weapon to fight out of the way I was in. The more I played, the more I realized that there is a place for me in this world as well.”

Dr. Nadim was joined in a panel discussion by one young beneficiary of sport based PVE programming, Ms. Kelsey (23, from Northern Ireland) of the Irish Football Association Foundation as well as a young sport-based PVE programme practitioner, Ms. Caroline (30, from Cameroon) of Local Youth Corner Cameroon. Kelsey explained her challenging upbringing in her home community and speak about how the power of sport was able to completely turn her life around. Speaking of the sense of community sport creates, she emphasized that “on the pitch it doesn’t matter about religion. You just go out there and have fun, everyone’s identity’s the exact [same] thing.” Caroline, noted similarly that “by developing teamwork and communication skills, we are able to not only succeed on the pitch but also promote peace and positivity within our own communities.”

Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative – United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) said:” We hope this campaign will inspire many young people around the world. We are delighted to see this happening with the support of influential athletes and within the framework of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Major sporting events are powerful platforms to develop and maintain conversations on inclusion and social cohesion. As advocates of meaningful youth engagement, UNAOC is also pleased to see youth playing a key role in this campaign by taking the lead in amplifying powerful messages to their peers.”

Ms. Antonia Marie De Meo, Director United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) said:“The stories of the panellists and Dr. Nadim are truly moving testimonies of personal strength and the potential of sports to help overcome challenges and build resilience. Sports are a uniting force. They build trust, promote inclusivity and encourage respect for diversity. Our work shows that these values are essential to counter radicalization and violent extremism in communities at risk. UNICRI is thankful to the State of Qatar for their generous support to the Global Sports Programme, and to the panelists as well as Dr. Nadim for allowing us to share in their stories. We are very proud to be associated with building such a positive legacy for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”

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ICSS Chairman: ‘Qatar World Cup will see highest levels of security and safety’

Admin-ICSS — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 08:14:31 +0000

Qatar has made exceptional preparations in terms of safety and security and has spared no effort in building comprehensive international cooperation to ensure a seamless FIFA World Cup, top officials of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), told journalists here in an interview.

“With just a few days to go until the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicks off, we are proud that Qatar is fully ready to host the tournament, which will bring millions of eyes and hundreds of thousands of international spectators, said Mr. Mohammed Hanzab, Chairman of the ICSS.

“The ICSS has assisted the State of Qatar since the first beginning days when the nation was awarded the rights to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, becoming the first country in the Arab world and the Middle East to do so. Qatar has been able to capitalize on unique relevant expertise in the security field as one of the countries with the lowest crime rates in the world, and, at the same time, embrace the best practices developed in other countries, at all latitudes, who hosted major sporting events in the past.” Mr. Hanzab concluded.

“The ICSS is confident that Qatar will deliver a safe and secure tournament for all participants, thanks to the tireless efforts of its authorities and officers across these years of preparations. The world has changed so many times since the World Cup was awarded to Qatar, going through pandemics and international turmoil, but the Qatari authorities continued to work with vision, coordination, and a cooperation spirit which has integrated in the World Cup preparations stakeholders across different nations and sectors, also including civil society.” ICSS CEO Massimiliano Montanari said.

QUESTION 1

Since its inception in 2010, what are the contributions and the role played by the ICSS in securing mega sporting events?

“Since inception, the ICSS, an international, not-for-profit organisation based in Doha, has provided support for Sport Governing Bodies, Local Organising Committees, and sporting organisations at international, national and local levels, through stadium design, development of organisational structures, operational planning, training and education,” said Mr. Steven Fleming, Head of Sport Event Security of the ICSS.

“We have developed the safety and security handbook and guidelines for global and continental sports federation, conducted country threat and risk assessments for international tournaments and together with the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT), in partnership with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the ICSS has been co-leading the UN Global Programme on the Security of Major Sporting Events and the Use of Sport to Prevent Violent Extremism. We also participate in the activities of INTERPOL, Council of Europe, World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant international cooperation mechanisms in the safety and security field.

In 2021, the ICSS, jointly with its UN partners, developed the Global Guide on the Security of Major Sporting Events recently translated into five official UN languages. The sporting bodies and organisations we work with, include, but are not restricted to, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL), FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (Q22), FIFA, Asian Football Confederation (AFC), ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Before Q22, the ICSS has assisted the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) with regard to the security preparations of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and has been involved in the protection of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, alongside other events of continental and national dimension,” the ICSS Head of Sport Event Security explained.

QUESTION 2

How did the ICSS plan to ensure security at the FIFA World Cup 2022. And is there any collaboration with the national entities at this level?

“Since 2013, it has been our great honour to have been a primary advisor and provider of technical assistance to SCDL and Q22 on safety and security for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Throughout this time, we have delivered in excess of 100 projects, the latest as recent as October 2022. These projects have spanned a full range of subjects from stadium safety and security design, developing a timeline of key deliverables, production of operational Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), safety and security operational planning documentation, policies, and procedures, through to training development and delivery for Ministry of Interior (MOI) Venue Commanders, Venue Safety and Security Managers and Coordinators, Private Security Officers, Supervisors, Chief Guards and Volunteers.

We have advised upon major event safety and security legislation, and undertaken observation programmes at several global sporting events and submitted learning and good practices from those events to integrate into operational planning for Qatar 2022. These projects not only cover stadium operations but also, transport, hotels, training sites, the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), the Main Operations Centre (MOC) and FIFA Fan Festivals (FFF). We designed and developed a comprehensive Police Protective Security Advisor training programme as well to develop an approach for the protection and management of crowded places city-wide.

Through these projects, the ICSS has greatly contributed to the protection of sporting competition and non-competition venues, host nation vulnerable targets, Qatar’s citizens and residents, athletes and participating member associations, international partners, visiting fans and tourists,” Mr. Fleming said.

QUESTION 3

How does the ICSS foresee challenges of sports stadium safety and security during the World Cup?

“Since first being awarded the Tournament back in 2010, Qatar has had an unprecedented amount of time to consult with and draw best practices from global safety and security experts in all aspects of major sporting event delivery. This has enabled Qatar to design and build stadiums with the safety and security of all attending or participating in the events, as a primary consideration. Of course, Qatar has also been able to position these stadiums to make the best use of its geography and topography, again with safety and security considerations paramount in their decision-making. The development of supporting national infrastructure, road networks and transport systems all support tournament requirements. Testing and exercising of tournament systems through events such as the FIFA Club World Cups of 2019 and 2020, the AFC Champions League 2020, the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, as well as other International and local tournaments have all added to the learning and contributed to World Cup preparations in terms of operational planning, communications and coordination on local and international levels.

Qatar is no newcomer to hosting international sporting events, having previously hosted the Asian Games, the IAAF World Championships and international tournaments for a range of sports. Recently, Qatar hosted its first Formula 1 Grand Prix, and annually hosts Diamond League Athletics, ATP Tennis Tournaments and the FIM Moto GP World Championship.

This is the first FIFA World Cup Tournament in history to be held with all 32 teams in one city. We are fully confident that Qatar will be able to successfully accommodate visitors including national supporters, many with long-standing rivalries who will be in the same place at the same time,” said the ICSS Head of Sport Event Security.

QUESTION 4

What is the ICSS stand on the recent allegations by some news reports on Qatar’s ability to host a successful edition of the world Cup?

“Tournaments of this scale will always bring with them challenges, also due to the development of new global scenarios; however, the training of Venue Management Teams, the operational planning, including incident management, crowd management, contingency planning and staff training all based around a thorough threat and risk assessment process, should leave us in no doubt that all stadium-based challenges will be dealt with effectively, professionally and in line with the highest international standards in the field of safety, security and protection of individual liberties.

Qatar has one of the best airports in the World, capable of handling the influx of spectators on a daily basis, it has without doubt 8 of the best stadiums in the world supported by state-of-the-art transport networks and a relatively new, but well tested public transport system.

Qatar has drawn upon the expertise of international partners, well versed in staging tournaments of this scale and has international assistance in its delivery of safety and security operations on land, sea, and air.

Any country in the world would face challenges in delivering a FIFA World Cup with all teams in one city; with all the logistical challenges that bring combined with the influx of visitors. There is no reason to believe that Qatar is any less able than any other city in the world to safely deliver a world-class tournament,” said Mr. Fleming.

QUESTION 5

How will all security agencies of the world coordinate and work during the World cup?

“From our experience with other major sporting events, there will have been considerable coordination amongst all national and international government and security agencies.

Also, the ICSS plays an important role in this regard, particularly through the global Network of National Focal Points on Major Events Security we have established jointly with the United Nations as a mechanism to promote different forms of mutual assistance and support across nations.

Coordination will undoubtably have taken place through international intelligence networks to identify and mitigate international threats and risks to the Tournament. Through international law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL (Project Stadia) and those of National policing agencies for the participating teams, intelligence and criminal data will have been shared and integrated into operational planning to ensure the safety and security of all who attend.

During the forthcoming tournament, Qatar will utilise its International Police Coordination Centre (IPCC) to facilitate the exchange of information between Qatar’s Police, INTERPOL and policing representatives of national teams’ home countries to ensure the safety of those attending. These national policing representatives provide the expertise and advice on how to deal with spectators from their home countries,” he went on saying.

QUESTION 6

What exactly would be ICSS’ role during Qatar World Cup?

“Our main responsibility has been fulfilled during these years of preparation and hard work by all stakeholders involved. During the World Cup, the ICSS have been tasked by Q22 to conduct safety and security observations and evaluations in a number of stadiums, in order to identify and encourage, in real time, good practice and report upon areas where improvements can be made throughout the tournament. We are proud to also be assisting Q22 in preserving the safety and security legacy of the event, in terms of collating and analysing the work conducted in preparation and during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” the ICSS Head of Sport Event Security concluded.

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