MOC, ARC and UNICEF Hold Stakeholder Consultation to Strengthen Child Safeguarding in Sports
The Maldives Olympic Committee (MOC), in collaboration with Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) and UNICEF Maldives, held a Stakeholder Consultation on Child Safeguarding in Sports on 22 October 2026 at Meerumaa Event Hall, Malé.
The consultation brought together young athletes, coaches, representatives of National Sports Associations (NSAs), government institutions, child protection organisations and other key stakeholders to assess existing safeguarding practices, identify challenges and develop practical recommendations for creating safer sporting environments for children across the Maldives.
The event formed part of ongoing collaborative efforts to strengthen child protection in sport, building on MOC's Child Safeguarding Policy introduced in 2022 with the technical support of UNICEF and in collaboration with ARC.
The consultation commenced with opening remarks by Ms. Zenysha Shaheed Zaki, Founder of ARC, followed by remarks from Dr. Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, Mr. Ahmed Thamooh, Director General of MOC, and the Chief Guest, Hon. Abdulla Rafiu, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness.
The speakers highlighted the importance of translating safeguarding commitments into practical measures that protect children participating in sport, while strengthening coordination among sporting bodies, government agencies, families and child protection organisations. The discussions emphasised that safeguarding must extend beyond written policies and be embedded in everyday sporting environments through effective implementation, clear reporting mechanisms and shared institutional responsibility.
MOC also highlighted its continued efforts to promote child safeguarding awareness, including outreach activities conducted across four atolls, reaching more than 380 children and 60 coaches and sports personnel. These initiatives have contributed to raising awareness of child protection responsibilities within the sporting community.
A key focus of the consultation was the study, The State of Child Safeguarding in Sport in the Maldives, which aims to establish a national baseline for understanding safeguarding awareness, policies and practices within the sporting sector. The study will gather perspectives from children, athletes, coaches, parents, sports officials and relevant organisations to assess how safeguarding measures are currently understood and implemented.
The study will also examine progress made since the introduction of MOC's Child Safeguarding Policy in 2022, identify gaps in reporting procedures, institutional responsibilities and available support mechanisms, and provide evidence-based recommendations for strengthening safeguarding systems. Its findings will serve as a reference for future policy development, capacity-building initiatives and monitoring progress in child safeguarding across Maldivian sport.
The consultation featured a briefing on the Child Safeguarding Policy, a presentation on the baseline study and interactive group discussions. Participants shared their experiences and perspectives on the current safeguarding environment, identified challenges faced by children and sporting organisations, and explored practical measures to improve awareness, reporting procedures and institutional responses.
Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of involving young athletes in safeguarding discussions, recognising that children's experiences and perspectives are essential to developing effective protection measures. The group discussions also provided an opportunity for stakeholders from different sectors to exchange views, identify common concerns and propose recommendations to inform future safeguarding initiatives.
The consultation reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between MOC, ARC, UNICEF, government institutions, NSAs and other stakeholders to ensure that safeguarding is integrated into sporting activities at every level.
Through the consultation and the national baseline study, MOC and its partners aim to strengthen the foundation for a coordinated and sustainable child safeguarding framework, ensuring that every child in the Maldives has the opportunity to participate in sport in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.
