From Tuesday to Thursday, a specialized training program took place at Kigali Pele Stadium for members of Tiger Gate S Ltd, a renowned company specializing in venue safety management, including stadiums, event halls, and other public spaces.
Thierry Havumirema, a training participant, shared his enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing its value in acquiring essential professional skills. Despite having prior experience in the field, he acknowledged the lack of formal knowledge before this opportunity.
"There’s so much to learn. For example, this is my first time attending such training. I used to do the job based on instructions or by observing others, but now I’ve gained many insights I hadn’t known before. We are learning how to interact with people depending on their category or group," said Havumirema.
He further pointed out a recurring challenge faced by the security team: managing situations where fans or other individuals attempt to access restricted areas without authorization.
Vanessa Mukashyaka, another Tiger Gate S Ltd team member, expressed her satisfaction with the training, highlighting the practical lessons on welcoming visitors at stadiums and event spaces. She noted the significance of learning to handle individuals who use their status to claim unauthorized access to VIP sections.
Managing Director of Tiger Gate S Ltd, Jean Claude Gatete, elaborated on the core purpose of the training, stressing its importance in boosting team competency and expanding the company’s membership.
"We planned this training to improve our expertise, strengthen our work, and dispel misconceptions from many who think we lack proper knowledge and professionalism. This is the reason behind the training—we want to become even more skilled professionals," Gatete explained.
"Participants will gain a lot because many lacked knowledge in this field. While we as the managers had prior expertise, we always envisioned offering this kind of training."
Gatete revealed his personal pursuit of professional growth, as he is currently working towards acquiring FIFA-level certification, already holding CAF qualifications.
Initially, the company planned to train 500 members. However, after consultation, they decided to limit participants to a smaller group for optimal learning outcomes. Gatete assured that similar training sessions would be held for others in the future. He also sent a reassuring message to stadium visitors, emphasizing improved security measures for their safety.
Security personnel at Tiger Gate S Ltd participating in the training
Tiger Gate S Ltd staff expressing gratitude for the training program