ROME: Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers have signed an agreement with Interpol to co-ordinate safety and security preparations for the finals writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Janet Williams, former former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of London’s Metropolitan Police, who oversaw policing protective security planning for the London 2012 Olympics, will chair the group.

Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani, chairman of the Qatar 2022 organisers’ security committee,  said: “We recognize that hosting the FIFA World Cup, one of the world’s largest international sporting events, will entail a wide variety of challenges.

“By working with Interpol and its network of 190 member countries, Qatar 2022 will be able to draw on a pool of expertise from around the world on how best to host a successful and safe tournament while adhering to the highest international standards.”

The group’s scope will extend to providing advice, guidance and “robust training” to Qatar’s Ministry of Interior as well as developing strategic partnerships with international and national partners to ensure best practices.

Ronald Noble, Interpol’s secretary-general, said the agreement demonstrated Qatar’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards in event security.

He added: “The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has shown great leadership in the area of security for its country, its people and the millions of football fans who will visit the region during the World Cup.

“Interpol’s experts and general secretariat will work closely with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, the Ministry of the Interior and our National Central Bureau in Doha during the next 10 years in a fully collaborative approach to prepare and implement the necessary security framework and practices.”

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