With the successful conclusion of the IAAF World Athletic Championships, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is upbeat. The ministry ensured security and safety for athletes, officials and spectators and smooth traffic flow during the 10-day mega event both inside and outside Khalifa International Stadium.
The MoI had put in place strong and advanced security and traffic plans ahead of the prestigious event, a first for the Middle East. Security operations were closely monitored through the control room while control of the stadium was linked to the main operating room of the National Command Centre (NCC) that communicated with all security units at the site of the event.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Security Committee deputy chairman Brig Gen Abdulaziz bin Faisal al-Thani observed that advanced security techniques and team spirit helped the committee achieve its goal.
Surveillance cameras, security robot, remote-guided aircraft (drone) and multiple task vehicles were used for security operations. Besides, the operating rooms were equipped with advanced equipment and other technical devices and, according to the official, the Security Committee showed high efficiency in carrying out its tasks and providing safety for all participants.
A multi-stage entry system was in place. The first stage included seven security tents adjacent to the entrance gates. The tents were opened for spectators two hours before the competitions started.
The second stage was the security inspection at the entrance where spectators were allowed inside through 28 gates.
The final stage was inside the stadium where volunteers checked the tickets and ensured spectators got the right seats in a bid to ensure competitions are watched without interruption. Security officials and volunteers, during the inspection, prevented the spectators from taking any prohibited material inside the stadium.
The prohibited items included fireworks material, glass bottles, small strollers, in addition to sharp tools, pets and other solid objects. A list was on display at the security checking tents.
Security Systems Department’s Lt Col Jassem al-Sayed and Khalifa International Stadium’s director of security Captain Burhan Saleh al-Turki also praised the collective efforts by security personnel both inside and outside the venue.
He recalled that security personnel were deployed at the venue ahead of the inaugural day and they could ensure a flawless conduct of the event by ensuring spectators were properly seated.
Apart from Khalifa International Stadium, special attention was paid towards the Corniche area where marathon and walking competitions were held, in addition to the training area at Qatar Sports Club.
Accommodation venues of athletes, officials, delegates, the media centre and the fans area were also under security.
Captain al-Turki, who praised the co-ordination between the traffic patrols and patrols Fazaa and Lekhwiya force, explained that traffic patrols were in place since the opening day of the event in order to maintain the smooth flow of traffic in all places that hosted competitions of the championship. Besides, special patrols were deployed on the important streets and the roads leading to the stadium and the Corniche.
The women police at MoI and the Lekhwiya played a crucial role in ensuring safety during the Championships. Policewomen trained by MoI in co-ordination with the Police Training Institute were deployed at the site.

Related Story