Page 83 - World Under 18 Championships

IAAF W ORLD U18 REPORT

• Delays in the accreditation process caused challenges historical prowess in athletics and taking time to take
especially for performing artists who were not ac- photos with them. Present and past athletes fi led
credited and consequently denied access by security onto the track and were led into a jig by Sarakasi
personnel. IMG was forced to seek the intervention of dancers and drummers as spirals and confetti went
LOC Secretariat Head of Operations, event production up the air around them. is was followed by photo
and overall head of security as artists remained locked opportunities with the young participants taking
out for over an hour. selfies among them and with pioneering Kenyan
• Delays in approval and onboarding of service pro- athletes for about an hour. ereafter, athletes, of-
viders including IMG resulted in very limited time for fi cials, IAAF and LOC family members made their
conceptualization and preparation. Further delays in way to the athletes’ village for the farewell banquet
budget approvals presented the risk of artists pulling which was scheduled to begin at 2100hrs.
KYEB
out as they expected down payments prior to the event.
What worked
• A pre produced video of H.E e First Lady’s engage-
ment in marathons was scheduled to play during
the opening ceremony but was pulled out at the last
• The production was superbly executed, delivering
minute. is was due in part to late review of the video
satisfactory entertainment value and involvement of
by the event presentation team and loss of time due
guests of honour, former national athletes and par-
to the production crew’s limited access to key areas
ticipating athletes.
within the stadium.
• e record breaking audience turn out created a eu-
phoric and unforgettable atmosphere, a perfect back-
drop to the closing ceremony
Recommendations
presentation teams ensured a seamless showcase
• Identifi cation and onboarding of all service providers
should be done at least six months prior to the event
Challenges
to allow time for preparations. • Coordination between the event production and event
• Accreditation directorate should have a wholesome
KENYA YEARBO0K
• Due to challenges in accreditation, performing artists
appreciation of the diff erent elements that go into event
were denied access into the stadium, necessitating the
production and adequately plan for them. is could
have helped them understand the role of artists and
intervention of security heads and LOC Secretariat
prioritized their accreditation.
Head of Operations.
EDITORIAL BOARD
• Better coordination between production team and • Spectators turned out in huge numbers, filling the
event presentation team to ensure that all elements
stadium to capacity. is created a challenge in crowd
of the ceremony are captured on camera at the right
control as throngs were locked out of the stadium.
time. • ere was a security breach minutes after the closing
• Key guests should be well briefed on the program and ceremony where pilferers made their way onto the track
their speaking notes reviewed to ensure they keep where athletes were gathered. A few theft incidences
within allotted time. were reported.
Closing Ceremony Recommendations
e closing ceremony was a beautiful showcase by • Accreditation directorate should prioritize accredita-
performing artists, past record breaking Kenyan tion of artists and allot them access to key areas that
athletes and all participating youth athletes coor- pertain to delivery of their performances
dinated seamlessly to deliver a fun fi lled event. H. E • Security chain of command should be clearly commu-
the fi rst Lady Margaret Kenyatta received the former nicated to ease contacts in the event of emergencies.
athletes, acknowledging their contribution Kenya’s

ACTIVITIES AND OCCURENCES DURING WORLD U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS | 83