At major sporting events, a significant concern revolves around the level of security for all participants, whether they are athletes, fans, or any other stakeholders contributing to the event’s success.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (FIBA WC) stands as the pinnacle of basketball tournaments, and the Philippines, as a co-host, considers the security measures of paramount importance. These measures are intended to ensure the seamless and trouble-free execution of the games scheduled from August 25 to September 10.
As the opening day rapidly approaches, BGen Henry G. Sabarre AFP (ret.), the Head of Safety and Security of the Philippines Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the FIBA WC, underscores that all safety and security measures are now firmly in place. The group is currently awaiting the execution dates of all its plans.
“Conferences and meetings are still being scheduled with other involved agencies, who share the common goal of fine-tuning all preparations to prevent overlooking any detail. Both competition and non-competition venues will be comprehensively covered inside and out, with team convoys undergoing thorough rehearsals,” said Sabarre.
The LOC has collaborated closely with an array of government agencies, including the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, various local government units, estate managers of different venues (both playing and non-playing), and the North Luzon Expressway.
Sabarre states, “All of them have shown great support with their time and energy, understanding the high stakes associated with the outcome of the [FIBA WC].”
The majority of personnel in the LOC Safety & Security team bring prior experience from previous major sporting events held in the country — including the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Therefore, there were no new or innovative installations for the FIBA WC; the focus was on traditional physical security preparations and selecting the right personnel for each task.
Sabarre emphasizes the importance of empowering subordinate managers by granting them authority, pertinent information, and effective leadership to accomplish their tasks.
While the separation of games across distinct venues could have posed challenges, the LOC decided to decentralize its functional areas into clusters based on competition venues.
This approach simplifies matters.
Sabarre explains, “This way, the LOC, particularly the Safety & Security team, can manage and provide enhanced support to individual clusters, whether it’s the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, or even the Philippine Arena (on opening day). Each venue now operates autonomously with its respective resources.”
Consequently, each playing venue will have ample resources and manpower to ensure the smooth progress of the games, including secure transportation. The Safety & Security group will play a role in guaranteeing that all teams adhere to their scheduled activities punctually.
A specific concern that demands special attention for the FIBA WC, according to Sabarre, is the rigorous implementation of FIBA’s “zoning system.”
This system designates different areas of interest at the venues, limiting access for FIBA, LOC, and venue personnel, along with fans and media, to specific zones. Sabarre acknowledges that enforcement posed challenges during the country’s hosting of World Cup Qualifier windows in the past year.
However, close coordination with the Accreditation group of the LOC should assist the Safety & Security team in strictly enforcing this from the outset.
With well-defined plans and prepared personnel, the LOC exudes confidence that the FIBA WC will achieve success from a security perspective.
A workforce of approximately 180 individuals, backed by various government agencies and units, is fully prepared.
“Given our level of preparation and years of experience in organizing sporting events, we can assert with confidence that the FIBA WC in Manila will be an inspiring triumph. While we cannot guarantee a hosting free of incidents, we are highly confident that the nation will proudly affirm that we hosted the most exceptional World Cup ever.”
