The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has completed its inaugural comprehensive training and certification program, aimed at qualifying 250 SPL and club-affiliated staff across key operational roles.
The training program, organised in partnership with Events Management International (EMI), was held over three days, with sessions presented by leading Subject Matter Experts (SME) with more than 30 years' experience in major international events, including FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games.
Participants took a rigorous online examination at the conclusion of the program to earn their certificates. The key operational roles included Match Director, Commercial Officer, Media Coordinator, as well as Operations Coordinator with safety and security responsibilities.
"For the first time ever, we have been able to bring together this many affiliated staff in an effort to raise the level of league operations," SPL Chief Executive Officer Omar Mugharbel said in his opening remarks at the start of the sessions delivered both online and in-person at the SPL head office in Riyadh.
"This program lays the groundwork for a sporting experience that is on par with the best leagues in the world in line with the objectives of the SPL Transformation Strategy. But it is only the first step in a journey of continuous improvement and empowerment of our affiliated staff."
Mugharbel added: "The guidance has been instrumental in equipping our team with the skills necessary to elevate our service levels to the highest international standards. Our collaboration with EMI has enabled us to empower our staff across a range of critical roles, from match management and commercial operations to media coordination and safety."
As the SPL prepares for the beginning of the 2024-25 season on August 22, the newly certified staff will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity, professionalism, and safety of the league, having been trained in topics including pre-match preparation, checklist and Match Coordination Meeting (MCM), matchday checklist and procedures, crisis management, communication protocols, three step anti-discrimination procedure, commercial program procedures, marketing procedures, media procedures, and safety and security procedures.
The success of this program reflects the SPL’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the human capacity of the SPL as an organisation, which is one of the six pillars of the SPL Transformation Strategy. The other pillars comprise establishing a leading governance model; enhancing the competition’s operations, including broadcast and commercial rights; creating a framework for club development; setting up a player management ecosystem; and developing football infrastructure.
