The Maldives Olympic Committee (MOC), in collaboration with ARC Maldives, marked Safe Sport Day in Kulhudhuffushi by conducting a series of child safeguarding sessions for members of the local sporting community.
More than 135 participants attended the three sessions, which were organised for different groups involved in the delivery and development of sport. Participants included club and academy management, Executive Committee members, coaches, parents and child athletes.
The sessions aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of child safeguarding in sport and raise awareness of the important roles played by sports organisations, administrators, coaches, families and athletes in maintaining safe sporting environments.
Discussions highlighted that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of everyone connected to sport. Participants were encouraged to recognise the importance of creating environments in which children feel safe, respected, supported and able to participate without fear of harm, abuse, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour.
The sessions also provided an opportunity to engage directly with those working closely with children in Kulhudhuffushi and to promote a stronger safeguarding culture within local clubs and academies. By bringing together administrators, coaches, parents and young athletes, the programme reinforced the need for cooperation and open communication when identifying concerns and protecting the wellbeing of children.
The initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts of MOC and its partners to strengthen child safeguarding practices within the Maldivian sporting community and expand awareness beyond the Greater Malé region. It also supports the broader objective of ensuring that children across the country can participate in sport within safe, inclusive and supportive environments.
The programme was conducted with the support of UNICEF Maldives and Kulhudhuffushi City Council. MOC extends its appreciation to both organisations, ARC Maldives and all participants for contributing to the successful delivery of the sessions and supporting the collective effort to make sport safer for children throughout the Maldives.
