October 8, 2022
The brief from today:
Qatar set up high end operations system
In anticipation of the World Cup, Qatar’s organizing committee has constructed the Aspire Command and Control center. A high tech security system, the Aspire Command and Control center is a remote facility with the ability to monitor each of the tournament’s eight stadiums, as well has handle operational aspects at each venue. Each stadium for the competition has 2000 cameras, and the center currently has a digital copy of all the surveillance equipment in order to facilitate security measures. The current plan is to have the technical facility operate 24 hours a day throughout the week, and to manage this there will be a team of 85 staff members present at any given time. The center is able to view camera footage of the stands, as well as the various entrances/gates to the stadiums, thus allowing security to avoid congestion issues similar to the last Champions League final in Paris. The small size of Qatar permits such innovation, as this is the first time a World Cup will have a command center that can monitor all eight venues simultaneously. In addition to having the ability to manage video capabilities at the stadiums, Aspire Command and Control center will also be able to oversee the following: audio, facility security and operations (crowd monitoring, opening and closing of doors/gates), and temperature control. In addition to the 2000 cameras within the stadiums, there are an additional 16,000 monitoring the parking areas, various rooms, corridors, and the approach roads, all of which the center will also have access to. The Arab Cup last December was the initial trial run for the Aspire Command and Control center, which proved to be a success. The World Cup will naturally be a much larger proposition, but organizers are confident the task can be managed by the facility.
Qatar’s control hub for the World Cup: the Aspire Command and Control center
Franck Ribery weighing up his options
Former France international, Franck Ribery, is assessing whether to continue his playing career, or finally decide to retire. The 39-year-old, currently playing for Serie A side, Salernitana, has been having knee issues since the start of the season, and hasn’t played since the opening match of the campaign. It is Ribery’s second season at the club, following two others at fellow Serie A side, Fiorentina, but it was his 12 years at Bayern Munich from 2007-2019 that cemented his status as one of the world’s best. Ribery isn’t just weighing up the decision to play or retire, apparently the possibility of going up into upper management at Salernitana is also a possibility should he decide to call it quits. Of course, before the next phase is realized everything will depend on whether he can overcome his injury challenges, and if he still has the motivation to continue playing. As it stands, however, despite Ribery not making any public comments, major publications in both Italy and France are reporting that he has already decided to end his career, and an announcement is expected within the next few days.
Franck Ribery’s illustrious career could be nearing its end if reports are confirmed