(MENAFN- The Peninsula) lalin fernandopulle |
The Peninsula
Man power and communication management were two major challenges that the facility management (FM) of the FIFA World Cup grapple with on a daily basis to ensure a successful conclusion of the sporting event said facility managers of the World Cup addressing a networking session at the Al Wadi Hotel, MGallery yesterday.
The session held under the theme 'Spotlight on Qatar's FM contribution to the World Cup Success and Beyond' hosted by MEFMA (Middle East Facility Management Association) shed light on a range of issues faced by facility managers.
Facility managers said the incredible rise in the demand for man power, the constant change in the venue schedule and meeting the skill requirement were never a cake walk in catering to a diverse global community.
Every spectator and visitor to the venue is crucial as their judgment on cleanliness and quality of service goes a long way for the success of any event, said G4S Qatar General Manager Gary Thomson speaking on 'Keeping FIFA 2022 Clean'.
Managing 64 tournament games, the daily change of training schedule, the frequent change in staff deployment times, security protocols and coping with three shifts 24/7 were a daunting task according to facility managers.
Difficulties in controlling third party contracts, timelines and uniform issues and the meal voucher system with regard to man power handling and securing the right product at the right time, delivery before sites lock downs and constant requests for new consumables and equipment in the deployment of logistics to eight stadiums, 36 training sites and six special sites were some of the other challenges that facility mangers of the FIFA Cup 2022 had to overcome.
AL Asmakh A to Z Services Group CEO Gabriel Semaan said accommodation, transportation, recruitment, visa and accreditation, flight bookings, on boarding, payroll, financing and demobilisation were the biggest hurdles that the company faced and overcame successfully by scouting and finding the right place to accommodate over 4,000 persons, strengthening HR teams and hiring a separate team for the tournament and mobilizing a employee relations team to have an HR coordinator on-site at each project.
Facility managers said the lessons from the event on the learning curve is what matters most in organising mega events of the magnitude of the World Cup.
Qatar's preparations for the spectacular sporting event commenced over a decade ago after the state won the bid to host the first foot ball World Cup in the Middle East.
Key lessons learned from previous events, including the FIFA Club World CupTM and FIFA Arab CupTM, helped the SC create a bespoke plan for the FIFA World Cup, which included four matches a day from 21 November to 2 December. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and countrywide partners worked closely over the years to provide a seamless transportation for the tournament held from November 2 to December 18.