Doha: Highlighting the crucial role that advanced education, partnership, integration, and planning plays in the prevention of threats towards the safety, security, and integrity of sport, the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) was requested last week to assist decision-makers and senior officials from two different regions, namely South-East Asia and the Caribbean.
During a three-day digital learning webinar themed ‘New Challenges, Fresh Solutions: Futureproofing your Federation’ organised by the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), in partnership with the Josoor Institute, the ICSS addressed the AFF member associations and brought together a group of subject matter experts and representatives from FIFA, Premier League, London Stadium, Victoria Police Force, and Starlizard Integrity Services.
The programme focused on a range of topics and methodologies both in the domain of sport integrity and event security while raising awareness on the importance for sport to work in partnership with law enforcement to protect players and other possible targets, build networks, and enhance information exchange, across sport-related crimes.
The ICSS session first highlighted ways to improve understanding of the global impact of match-fixing, the threat of betting poses on international football, as well as shared methodologies to recognise, resist, and report match-fixing issues.
During the second day of activity, the ICSS informed participants about the benefits of having in place effective policy & supporter relations policies – including a dedicated department - within the sport governing body and the direct, positive impacts upon the matchday experience.
A few hours later, the ICSS moved to the Caribbean to share its expertise at ‘Training on Major Events Security: Cricket’ hosted by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), Organization of American States (OAS) and supported by the Government of Canada; the ICSS delivered training under the theme ‘Venue Security Concept of Operations – Key Factors for Consideration’.
Fred Lord, Director, Sport Integrity and Protection, ICSS said: “As sport continues to remain under threat, due to organised crime unyielding appetite for illegal sports betting, it has never been so critical to continue sharing knowledge and expertise with the international sporting community, for the development of best practices to protect sports programmes.”
Steven Fleming, Head, Event Security, ICSS said: “It was my great pleasure to contribute to these two exceptional events. To our friends within the AFF we delivered, in addition to a thought-provoking session on the Pillars of Event Safety, truly enlightening sessions relating to the often-forgotten areas of Fan Engagement and Sponsor Engagement and the valuable contribution they both can make to the delivery of a safe and secure event.”
