Doha, November 17 (QNA) – The Safety and Security Operations Committee (SSOC) of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has confirmed its full preparedness to secure the tournament, in accordance with the highest international security standards, and in line with the security requirements of FIFA, utilizing the latest technologies and advanced security systems in the world, and benefiting from the great legacy of the State of Qatar in hosting major sport events over the past years.
This came in a report issued by SSOC in which it shed light on the most important security preparations that have already been completed, and the role of the security agencies that have already started assuming their duties. All the security authorities and the SSOC work in full coordination and cooperation, with the aim of providing all means of security and maintaining the safety of the fans, players and international missions participating in the tournament, the report said.
SSOC further affirmed that it will spare no effort to secure the World Cup, pointing that the foreseen success of the tournament would be a continuation of the successive accomplishment made by the State of Qatar in hosting major sporting events and in the serious early preparations for the championship.
The Committee also affirmed keenness to efficiently implement its plans to effectively and positively manage and respond to any incident related to the tournament.
To achieve this a modern security system has been implemented to protect everyone and create a safe and healthy environment for sporting events, the report said.
It added that noted that SSOC’s efforts stem from the Ministry of Interior’s mission to achieve security stability, as the main objective of the Ministry of Interior’s strategy (2018-2022) is to contribute to securing the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The tournament security strategy aims to achieve comprehensive security relying on total local, regional and international partnerships as well as coordination between the concerned authorities in the country while emphasizing the importance of preventive security, exchanging information in enforcing the law, assessing and dealing with threats. The strategy further aims to highlight the role of the media in delivering messages, through early media coverage, on various media and social networks.
Security plans take into consideration the nature of sports competition and the fans’ entertainment, SSOC affirmed pointing to necessity of protecting those fans and providing the highest levels of security and comfort for all parties participating in the tournament.
The committee explained that the tasks of the security units cover securing the teams, fans, venues and means of transportation as well as maintaining cyber security and safeguarding information infrastructure and communication systems.
The SSOC stressed that all security units will be in their allocated positions before the kickoff of the first matches of the tournament, whether on the roads leading to stadiums, areas adjacent to them, or even inside the stadiums for safety, security, facilitate moving, and reduce crowding, whether on the gates during entry and exit or on the roads leading to stadiums.
The SSOC indicated that the fans’ entry gates will be opened 3 hours before any match, calling on fans not to be late to avoid crowding and to ensure their comfort in the smooth access to their seats.
The SSOC pointed out that the security personnel will handle the security and verification of security passes and match tickets. The committee will also use electronic gates and inspection devices for bags and banned materials in stadiums.
The committee affirms its total confidence in fans’ cooperation with the security personnel by adhering to the security measures and their cooperation during the exit and entry to the stadium, especially since there are specific standards and requirements made by FIFA regarding banned items.
The committee also pointed out that there are assistance teams of private security and volunteers who will provide required guidance to help fans whenever needed, stressing that all procedures are taken for the fans’ safety and security.
In a related context, the committee indicated that it would adopt the best technological means in implementing its security operations to appear in the best shape that reflects the advanced level and expertise Qatar has obtained in dealing with mega sports events to face any possible threat or dangers.
The committee stressed that Qatar’s hosting of this global football event represents an accumulation of expertise for the security sectors involved in securing mega sports events, in addition to using advanced technological systems to bring Qatar to an advanced stage in using technology for securing sports facilities. The committee referred to the harmonized close cooperation with the fraternal and friendly forces participating in security operations.
The committee also uses its specialized units to secure this significant tournament with the best available technologies, such as drones and robots in security operation, applying advanced security systems in mega sports events, such as monitoring systems, fans’ entry and exit control systems, and using advanced communication systems to host a World Cup edition that suits Qatar’s image and achieve the lead in the security field as the first Arab state to host such global football event.
The committee was keen to employ security technology in sports security by learning about the experiences of leading countries in this field, as well as the partnerships it has established with several international institutions and organizations led by Interpol, in addition to FIFA.
All committee units and other security units participating in securing the World Cup tournament are working together with one team spirit, showing perfection in carrying out their security tasks and integration into the security system to achieve the highest levels of security and maintain the fans’ safety and security.
The committee has set up security plans according to the highest international security standards and implemented all FIFA security requirements.
The committee took into account providing safety and security for all participants while setting up its inclusive security plan with the help of well-trained security personnel and advanced security technology to provide the fans with the best sporting atmosphere to enjoy watching the matches and cheer for their teams, as well as securing the fans who will attend the accompanying activities across Qatar.
(QNA)