Singapore-based security firm provides safety cover for Qatar World Cup

SINGAPORE: A Singapore-based company is at the heart of a massive security operation to keep fans and players safe at the ongoing Qatar World Cup.

Certis Group is lending its expertise at the tournament, which is being held in the Middle East for the first time.

The month-long sporting event, which was shrouded in controversy in its lead-up, kicked off on Sunday (Nov 20) with hosts Qatar losing 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening match.

Certis Group has partnered with local company Group Security System, and will deploy about 3,500 security personnel for the tournament, which over the next month is expected to see around 1.2 million fans descend on the kingdom.

With such large crowds expected, the security efforts will focus on preventing all forms of potential trouble, as matches take place at eight venues across the country.

This comes after recent crowd incidents, such as the crowd crush tragedy in Itaewon, South Korea and the stadium disaster in East Java, Indonesia.

The Itaewon tragedy took the lives of 156 Halloween revellers after people flooded the narrow alleyways of the packed nightlife district, while about 130 football fans died in a stampede in a stadium in Malang, in one of the world's deadliest sporting stadium disasters.

The security officers are a common sight in World Cup venues across Qatar, patrolling at spots such as public areas and places of accommodation.

The security organisation has a broad range of responsibilities for the tournament, explained Group Security System Certis International managing director Luis Phay, including providing cover for the pitches where teams train, at the guests’ accommodations, and also at the airport where fans and players arrive in Qatar.

“We know football can be emotionally