The International Centre for Sport Security signs cooperation agreement with the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency (BILD)

Washington, D.C. (ots) -

- Cross-reference: Picture is available at
http://www.presseportal.de/galerie.htx?type=obs -

The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the
not-for-profit organisation specialising in sport safety, security
and integrity, signed on Thursday, 28th February a new agreement with
the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) of the World Bank Group. The
agreement focuses on promoting integrity principles and awareness of
corruption and fraud risks in the sport arena.

Speaking about the new agreement, Mohammed Hanzab, President of
the ICSS, said: "As one of the leading international investigative
bodies, the Integrity Vice Presidency of the World Bank Group has
extensive experience in tackling financial corruption and fraud and
has already played an important part in safeguarding integrity across
a range of industries and sectors.

"In sport, we cannot underestimate the emerging and ongoing threat
of match-fixing and other forms of corruption that can potentially
compromise sporting events. This agreement is an important step in
the fight against corruption and match-fixing. I look forward to
working with INT over the coming months to develop new programmes to
promote and strengthen sports core values and to safeguard the future
credibility of sporting events."

The agreement will support the ICSS in the development of its
first National Sport Integrity Index (NSII). This new international
tool, part of the ICSS's commitment to eradicating corruption and
protecting the integrity of sport, will highlight and assess
integrity practices around the globe and identify certain regions and
jurisdictions where national and international stakeholders can
provide additional support and expertise.

"I would like to acknowledge ICSS for this pioneering initiative.
Sport has the unique ability to inspire young and old. Sport is also
a powerful platform to build bridges between individuals and
communities to promote peace, good values and health, particularly
among youth who are exposed to the impact of corruption and organised
crime. We look forward to our collaboration." said Leonard McCarthy,
World Bank Integrity Vice President

Background Information about the International Centre for Sport
Security (ICSS)

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.

The ICSS team brings together some of the world's leading sport
security and integrity experts and has access to a worldwide network
of specialist practitioners, offering expertise in every aspect of
sport security and integrity.

The ICSS is based in Doha, Qatar, an emerging centre for global
sporting events including the 2006 Asian Games, the AFC Asian Cup
Qatar 2011 the 2011 Pan Arab Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The ICSS regularly organises events to encourage the creation of
sport security and integrity networks and to drive new thinking. The
3rd edition of the ICSS's International Conference for Sport Security
and Integrity, also known as Securing Sport, will take place in
Doha, Qatar on the 18th and 19th March 2013.

For more details please visit: www.theicss.org and
www.securingsport.com.

For further information and if you are interested in a media
briefing, please contact:
Siham Alawami, ICSS, Director of President Office
siham.alawami@theicss.org
0097466892188