01 Oct Africa’s stadiums get a security boost

A joint initiative between The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and UNITAR’s International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) is looking to boost Africa’s stadium security.

The UN-certified Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme comes after the poor state and safety of many of Africa’s stadiums was highlighted – with some even being banned from use.

The aim of the programme is to develop the skills and knowledge of African football professionals who are involved in safety and security with an overall objective of advancing sport safety, security and integrity. A series of courses will be delivered including:

• Sport Safety and Security Fundamentals
• Sport Safety and Security Planning
• Safety and Security at Major Sporting Events
• Threat and Risk Assessments
• Physical Protective Security Measures
• Technical Protective Security Measures
• Operational Protective Security Measures
• Incident Response and Crisis Management
• Safety and Security Command and Control

ICSS CEO, Massimiliano Montanari commented: “Safety and security practitioners serve as the guardians of football competitions and thanks to their work, which is often behind the scenes, the players, spectators and the overall football community is protected. It is time to fully recognise and internationally certify their role and give it the importance it deserves.”