Stewards are the unsung heroes behind the scenes of sports and entertainment industries, contributing to the execution of events that millions of people enjoy week after week.
Their vital role in maintaining order and ensuring the safety of participants and spectators cannot be overstated.
However, the global sports arena, particularly in football, has been marred by instances of violence and turmoil, often resulting from a lack of well-trained stewards and an overzealous security presence.
Such occurrences have led to unnecessary escalations, casting a shadow over the essence of the game itself.
Dixon ‘James Bond’ Okello, a FIFA-certified security officer and event security expert, emphasizes the urgency of addressing these challenges. He advocates for enhanced steward literacy and a balanced approach from security forces to guarantee the safety and enjoyment of all involved.
While acknowledging the continued significance of the police in event security, Okello emphasizes that tasks such as gate management, ticket checks, access control, and backstage coordination should fall under the purview of stewards.
So, who exactly is a steward?
In the context of sports and entertainment events, a steward is an individual entrusted with maintaining order, upholding safety, and assisting in various event-related tasks. These tasks include crowd control, emergency response, providing information to attendees, and enforcing event regulations.
Stewards are typically recruited by event organizers to facilitate a smooth event experience. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of duties that contribute to the overall success of an event and the enjoyment of all participants.
Beyond their presence during events, stewards also hold crucial post-event responsibilities:
- Post-Event Debriefing: A collective discussion among stewards to assess the event’s outcomes, identify challenges, and suggest improvements for future matches.
- Incident Reporting: Stewards report any incidents, conflicts, medical emergencies, or safety concerns to event organizers and security personnel.
- Venue Cleanup: Stewards participate in the post-event cleanup process to ensure the stadium and its surroundings are left in a tidy and safe state.
- Equipment Collection: Gathering and returning event equipment to designated storage areas after the event.
- Lost and Found Handling: Coordinating with the lost and found team to return lost items to their owners or manage proper storage.
- Emergency Response Review: Evaluating the effectiveness of emergency response procedures and providing feedback for future enhancements.
- Feedback Collection: Gathering insights from attendees, participants, and fellow stewards to identify areas for improvement.
- Facility Inspection: Conducting final checks of facilities, seating areas, and emergency exits to ensure security and condition.
- Coordination with Authorities: Collaborating with law enforcement and emergency services to review security measures and response protocols.
- Handover Procedures: Ensuring an effective transfer of responsibilities.
Drawing from his extensive experience in managing both local and international events, Dixon Bond Okello is committed to training and guiding more individuals to become skilled stewards equipped with modern crowd-control techniques.
“I am available to train and guide any sports federation on stewardship matters free of charge,” Okello offers, showcasing his dedication to elevating the standards of event stewardship and safety.