By Armstrong Vas
Doha: Transparency International Co-founder Michael Hershman was yesterday unveiled as Group CEO of Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS). Mohammed Hanzab, Founder and President, ICSS, made the announcement at a press conference.
“This is a significant day for me and ICSS. Michael is a highly-respected figure who has operated at the very highest levels in the security and integrity fields. “I am honoured and delighted to have him join as Group CEO at an important period of growth for our organisation,” Hanzab said.
A globally-respected and highly-decorated leader in the fields of transparency, governance, litigation and security, Hershman joins ICSS, as it marks its fifth year, to lead, develop and strengthen the organisation to best serve sport in the fields of safety, security and integrity. “With a wealth of experience in leading international public and private organisations and having worked extensively in the public and private sector, Michael is ideally placed as Group CEO to lead implementation of ICSS’s new overall structure,” added Hanzab.
Sport risks losing fan base
“Having established the ICSS over five years ago and with the many new safety, security and integrity challenges facing sport, it was the right time to assess how the ICSS can maximise the benefits and expertise we currently offer to our partners, as well as ensuring the organisation has strong foundations for future work with different sectors in the industry and at the service to sport,” Hanzab said. Hershman warned sport risked losing its fan base because of recent corruption, match-fixing and doping scandals. The American said all sports had a duty to convince the public that their games were clean.
“Sport is probably facing the greatest crisis it has ever faced, it’s an issue of integrity and accountability. The greatest threat to sport is losing its fan base,” he said. Hershman, 70, has had a long and varied career. As well as Transparency International, he previously served on a FIFA reform committee. Outside sport, Hershman was a special agent with US military intelligence and served an investigator for the Senate Watergate Committee.
The Peninsula
