Security firm to open training academy in Saudi Arabia
Victoria Rees
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Security training company, Stadium LLC, has announced a new deal to open a training academy in Saudi Arabia on the back of playing a key role in last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
According to Stadium LLC, it has agreed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Excellence Company that will see it train thousands of Saudi nationals in event management and safety at the new academy.
The new partnership
Stadium LLC says that the agreement, which originated through a Department for Business and Trade mission visit to Saudi, will help the country to host a myriad of international sporting events over the coming years – a central part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, where the country aims to diversify the economy and reduce oil dependence.
The partnership formed as a result of Stadium’s key role in the World Cup where it provided safety training to thousands of operatives in Qatar, ensuring they gain formal qualifications including a Level 2 International Certificate in Spectator Safety, a Level 3 Certificate in Spectator Safety Supervision, as well as a Level 4 Diploma in Spectator Safety Management.
Its involvement in Qatar began five years prior when it delivered a bespoke training programme to 176 senior Qatari police officers in the UK, culminating in a major contract which saw Stadium-trained stewards operating at every World Cup game last year.
“This is a really exciting agreement which will help to play a key role in propelling sport and expanding industry in Saudi Arabia – a country which has a tremendous appetite for live events and is making significant waves in the world of sport,” said David McAtamney, Owner and Founder of Stadium.
“Saudi Arabia has a population of more than 35 million and over two-thirds of those are under the age of 35, so growing the security and events management industry in the country and creating jobs is key to unlocking its sporting potential.
“As a company, Stadium has been positioned as one of the UK’s leading event and training management specialists for some time now, with extensive knowledge and expertise in the facilitating of safe large-scale events, both on a national and international stage.”
Moving to the Middle East
“Our move into the Middle East began with the opening of our sister company Stadium LLC in Doha, Qatar, in 2020 and our plans to open a new training academy in Saudi Arabia is an exciting new chapter for us as we expand the business,” added McAtamney.
“Not only is this partnership with the Saudi Excellence Company a fantastic legacy for Stadium’s work at the World Cup in Qatar last year – which was widely hailed as one of the most successful and safety FIFA events ever held and the third-highest attended FIFA World Cup in history – but it is also testament to the strength of the security and events management industry in Britain, which has been a world-leader for some time now.”
“As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnesses an unprecedented expansion in supporting and hosting local and international sporting events, The Saudi Excellence Company intends to enhance security expertise in sports with our partner, Stadium LLC, in order to stay on top of this trend and develop a safe environment for such sporting events, as well as creating suitable and promising employment opportunities for young talent and retired security professionals,” said Sheikh Abdullah Zaid Al-Meleichi, Chairman of The Saudi Excellence Company.
