International Conference on Securing Sport

ICSSPE supports UNESCO in their call to governments to take an active role in the fight against manipulation of sport competitions and to promote prevention measures for youth athletes to eliminate doping and match fixing. At the third edition of the International Conference on Securing Sport in Doha, which brought together 400 of the world’s leading sport security and integrity experts from 18-19 March 2013, UNESCO took the opportunity to emphasize the key role that MINEPS V will play in strengthening international and multisectoral cooperation to the attending stakeholders. Amongst the panelists were Wilfried Lemke, Senior Adviser to the Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace, Khoo Boon Hui, former President of Interpol, and Stanislas Frossard, Council of Europe. ICSSPE manager Jennifer Wong, who is responsible for content development matters of MINEPS V, stressed that "it was reassuring to listen to the presentations and panel discussion as they affirmed that the contents of the draft declaration, particularly the section on sport integrity, have been developed in line with the most current views and international developments." Speaking from an athlete's perspective meanwhile John Amaechi, panelist and past NBA player, explained how many athletes experience a sense of entitlement, and in many cases it becomes natural for them to experience special treatment, and in some cases rule bending.  He stressed that the sport movement needs to place more emphasis on player education in a complimentary manner to physical training. The outcome of a break out session with young athletes from the Middle East and other countries, was the call for a better education of athletes in schools as well as for a more involved role for youth in planning and decision-making.

The conference was organised by the International Centre for Sport Security, a Doha based non-profit organisation committed to security, integrity and safety in sports. It was established three years ago and is funded by Mohammed Hanzab, ICSS President.  It aims to become a global hub of expertise bringing together researchers and practitioners to develop and support event organisers, governments, bidding nations, infrastructure owners and sport associations, leagues and clubs.

For more information, please visit http://www.securingsport.com/

Ed.: B. Weinberg