Nigeria and 53 other CAF Member Associations have met to discuss the practice of safe stadium initiative in bid to promote safety during African football events as the governing body looks to eradicate hooliganism, tyrant behaviors from the sport, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
African football's governing body, CAF, hosted its annual safety and security conference to ensure consistent match operations and empower security personnel across the continent.
Discussions centered on various aspects, including:
Match Operational Plans: Establishing a standardized approach for safety protocols during competitions.
Training Programs: Equipping National Safety and Security Officers with the latest knowledge through CAF's Member Association program.
Match Reporting: Implementing a system for efficient post-event analysis.
First and Last-Mile Security: Addressing security concerns for fans traveling to and from stadiums.
Safe Stadium Initiative: Fostering a culture of safety within member associations.
Highlighting CAF's commitment to "zero deaths across all stadiums in Africa," Dr. Christian Emeruwa, CAF Head of Safety and Security, emphasized the importance of annual evaluations. These conferences equip National Safety and Security Officers, acting as CAF representatives in their countries, with the most up-to-date safety and security practices.
The Safe Stadium Initiative strives to create secure environments for all attendees while promoting a safety-conscious culture across African member associations.
To achieve this goal, CAF will train 40 individuals from each member association, significantly improving the capacity and expertise of those responsible for ensuring spectator safety during sporting events.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola