Mohammed Hanzab (second right), President of International Centre Sport Security (ICSS) and Sir David Richards (second left), Chairman of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), shake hands after signing an MoU on the sidelines of Sport Security 2013 conference at Katara Cultural Village in Doha yesterday. Also seen are Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (left), CEO of EPFL and Helmut Spahn, Executive Director of ICSS. PICTURES: SHAIVAL DALAL
Doha: The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and the Paris 1 University Pantheon-Sorbonne have announced the Badminton World Federation as the beneficiary of the ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Trophy.
The ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Trophy for ‘outstanding achievement in promoting sport integrity’ was presented to Thomas Lund, Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer of the Badminton World Federation for their swift and resolute action in banning four Badminton doubles teams from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for match-fixing.
Speaking at a Gala Dinner hosted at Securing Sport 2013, Secretary General Thomas Lund said: “The BWF is honoured to receive the ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Trophy for outstanding achievement in terms of promotion of core integrity principles in our sport – badminton.”
Lund added: “No sport wishes to have its integrity and commitment to proper ethical behaviour tested. However, when such incidents arise, it’s essential to stand firm and take appropriate action. The BWF would have liked to avoid the Olympic disqualifications altogether but we are confident that, as the world governing organisation for badminton, we took the right decision given the circumstances.”
BWF President Dr Kang Young Joong said: “The London 2012 case has definitely been a learning curve for the BWF and we are committed to doing what it takes to ensure this never happens again. Being recognised by the ICSS and the Paris 1 University Pantheon-Sorbonne today gives us further assurance that our sport upholds the right values.”
Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “It gives me enormous pleasure to present the inaugural ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Trophy for ‘outstanding achievement in promoting sport integrity’ to the Badminton World Federation for showing us all at the Olympic Games last year that courageous decisions with immediate consequences are not only necessary but highly effective in dealing with integrity challenges.”
This trophy is the launch for a collaboration between ICSS and the Paris 1 University Pantheon-Sorbonne with the aim to create next year an official price for Integrity. 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.
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