With an experience of handling vital operations like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and providing security assistance to high profile events like IPL Twenty20, the Indian security operatives are likely to share their experience for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. According to a report in The Indian Express, as many as 20 IPS officers from various parts of the country will meet for the first security seminar in Qatar’s capital, Doha, in March.
The list of IPS officers will be compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the conference. The conference will see a brain-storming session of security experts on how to go about the major Football World Cup in 2022, said officials. As per a senior government source unearthed by The Indian Express, it was officials from Doha and FIFA who contacted the Indian officials. The source said, “States and UTs (union territories) have been told to nominate officers after we received communication from Doha and FIFA. The event will be a good exposure for our officers, and our forces can benefit from their experience in the near future.”
The security officers were involved in the recently held FIFA under-17 World Cup in India. Other than that, the domestic football league like Indian Super League (Football) have seen their presence and in the National Games which is set to be held in Uttarakhand this year will see security presence by officers, stated a recent home ministry communication to states and union territories.
Maharashtra and the National Security Guard (NSG) have been asked to nominate SP and DIG rank officials for the security seminar in Doha. Similarly, Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat governments have been asked to look for officers, from the IPS cadre, who was in charge of security during the IPL.
The home ministry asked West Bengal to nominate officers who have experience in organising the Indian Super League, including crowd management Threat and Risk assessment and management for major events, is another category where West Bengal, Delhi, and Maharashtra have been asked to name officers. “It is desirable to sponsor such officers who have expertise in more than one field and the nominated officer should be in excellent health and fit to travel,” the Home Ministry said in its communication.
Nominations have also been sought from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for officers who have worked in the area of “international engagement and cooperation” to liaison with international agencies on terror threats, officials added. The candidate should have a “very good knowledge of English” and have no charges of taint or corruption, the MHA’s communication said.