The International Centre for Sport Security signs cooperation agreement with the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency

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Washington, D.C., 5th March 2013: The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the not-for-profit organisation specialising in sport safety, security and integrity, signed on Thursday, 28th February a new agreement with the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) of the World Bank Group. The agreement focuses on promoting integrity principles and awareness of corruption and fraud risks in the sport arena.

Speaking about the new agreement, Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: "As one of the leading international investigative bodies, the Integrity Vice Presidency of the World Bank Group has extensive experience in tackling financial corruption and fraud and has already played an important part in safeguarding integrity across a range of industries and sectors.

"In sport, we cannot underestimate the emerging and ongoing threat of match-fixing and other forms of corruption that can potentially compromise sporting events.  This agreement is an important step in the fight against corruption and match-fixing. I look forward to working with INT over the coming months to develop new programmes to promote and strengthen sports core values and to safeguard the future credibility of sporting events."

The agreement will support the ICSS in the development of its first National Sport Integrity Index (NSII).  This new international tool, part of the ICSS’s commitment to eradicating corruption and protecting the integrity of sport, will highlight and assess integrity practices around the globe and identify certain regions and jurisdictions where national and international stakeholders can provide additional support and expertise.

"I would like to acknowledge ICSS for this pioneering initiative. Sport has the unique ability to inspire young and old.  Sport is also a powerful platform to build bridges between individuals and communities to promote peace, good values and health, particularly among youth who are exposed to the impact of corruption and organised crime. We look forward to our collaboration." said Leonard McCarthy, World Bank Integrity Vice President

Background Information about the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS)

The ICSS is an international, not-for-profit institution that aims to help event organisers to stage safer major sporting events. The Centre's mission is to improve security, safety and integrity in sport by addressing real issues and providing world-leading services, skills, networks and knowledge.

The ICSS team brings together some of the world’s leading sport security and integrity experts and has access to a worldwide network of specialist practitioners, offering expertise in every aspect of sport security and integrity.

The ICSS is based in Doha, Qatar, an emerging centre for global sporting events including the 2006 Asian Games, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ the 2011 Pan Arab Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.

The ICSS regularly organises events to encourage the creation of sport security and integrity networks and to drive new thinking. The 3rd edition of the ICSS’s International Conference for Sport Security and Integrity, also known as Securing Sport, will take place  in Doha, Qatar on the 18th and 19th March 2013.

For more details please visit: http://www.theicss.org and http://www.securingsport.com.

For further information and if you are interested in a media briefing, please contact:

Siham Alawami, ICSS, Director of President Office

tel. 0097466892188

e-mail: siham.alawami@theicss.org

Source: APA-OTS