The Israeli national soccer team was not good enough to qualify for the World Cup, but Israeli systems will run the security at one of the new soccer stadiums that has been built in Brazil. Risco Group reported today that it has completed the implementation of command and control systems and advanced security systems at the Arena Patanal soccer stadium, which was built for the World Cup in Cuiabá. The stadium will seat 44,000 fans.
The command and control program was not developed with the World Cup in mind, but was modified to support improved performance in Brazil, where operators will be able to control many safety and security features at once. The program that operates the stadium's central command and control room will make it possible to control other systems as well, such as the PA system, lighting, gates, and access to protected areas defined by the event organizers as “sterile” - such as the VIP and press boxes, broadcast points, and locker rooms.
Risco stated that after the systems are installed on site, the stadium’s operations crew will be able to control 300 areas inside and outside of the stadium at once from the command and control room.
Risco also supplied control systems for the stadium's entrances, which will allow for hundreds of doors, gates, and turnstiles to be controlled. The system will allow for the crowds to be regulated, will identify people who try to sneak into the stadium using forged tickets, and more. The company stated that the gateway control system was approved and tested by FIFA.
“Our teams were involved throughout the project in Cuiabá - from planning to implementation. We are now conducting supplementary services to ensure that all the integrated systems work efficiently together - to ensure the success of the project in the required timeframe,” said Risco Brazil country manager Eytan Dikstein.
Sources in the security sector estimate Risco’s Cuiabá stadium deal at $2 million. The cost of building the new stadium is $537 million. This is one of 12 soccer stadiums that has been built or renovated for the World Cup. “There have already been a few games between local Brazilian teams in the stadium, and the performance of our systems was tested, and the systems operated properly. We can definitely say - we are ready,” Risco EVP Hemy Fintsy told “Globes,” “During the matches, the stadium’s operations team will work the systems by themselves, and there will be no need for our crews to be on site.”
Risco Group has been operating since the late 1970s. Though the company has 700 employees, most of them in Israel, its operations in Israel take place mostly beneath the radar of the local media. More than 95% of its production is for export, and its primary market is Europe. The company has 13 branches worldwide. According to Dun & Bradstreet, Risco’s 2010 revenue was over NIS 365 million. Risco Group is owned by founder Moshe Alkelai. The company has a development center in Rishon Lezion and a production center in Kiryat Gat.
Fintsy said, “Winning the tender to provide systems for one of the soccer stadiums in Brazil for the upcoming World Cup certainly whets our appetite for the Olympic Games, which will take place in two years in Rio. There is no reason for us not to leverage our qualities forward, thanks to products that prove themselves in the market - that is the innovation and reliability they offer, and not just Israel’s reputation in the field of security. If the product were not good, Israel’s reputation in this area would not help us.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 30, 2014
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