Of great concern at major sporting events is the level of security for all participants, be they the athletes, the fans, or any other stakeholder contributing to making the event a success. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (FIBA BWC) is the apex of basketball tournaments, and co-host the Philippines considers its security measures of primary importance, to ensure the smooth, trouble-free execution of the games from August 25 to September 10.
With opening day fast approaching, BGen Henry G. Sabarre AFP (ret.), Head of Safety and Security of the Philippines Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the FIBA BWC, emphasized that at this point, all safety and security measures are well in place. The group is merely awaiting the dates of execution of all its plans.
“Conferences and meetings are still being scheduled with other agencies involved, whose common agenda is to fine-tune all preparations to avoid missing out on any detail. All competition and non- competition venues will be well-covered inside and out and team convoys thoroughly rehearsed.”
The LOC coordinated with an array of government agencies such as the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the different local government units, as well as the estate managers of the different venues (both playing and non-playing), and the North Luzon Expressway. “All were very supportive with their time and energy, knowing how much is at stake with the outcome of the (FIBA BWC),” said Sabarre.
Most of the personnel in the LOC Safety & Security team have prior experience at major sporting events previously held in the country. As such, there was really nothing new or innovative installed for the FIBA BWC, but just “good ole fashioned physical security preparations, as well as selecting the right people for the job.” For Sabarre, it is all the matter of empowering subordinate managers by providing them with the authority, pertinent information, and effective leadership to get it done.
Considering that games will be held at separate venues could have posed a problem, the LOC decided to decentralize its different functional areas into clusters, by competition venue, which should make matters simpler. “This way, the LOC, particularly Safety & Security, can now manage and give better support to the individual clusters, whether it be Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, and even Philippine Arena (on opening day). Each venue is now self-sustaining with their respective complements.”
