Football Association of Maldives (FAM) and Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has kick-started orientations for child safeguarding focal points at clubs and academies.
The orientation programme highlighted the five principles of child safeguarding in football and provided guidance to focal points of clubs and academies on how to report and respond to child safeguarding concerns. Participants were also educated on the improved structure at FAM such as the establishment of a “Child Safeguarding Unit” and appointment of a “Child Safeguarding Officer”. Through such measures, the policy promotes greater accountability and responsibility in keeping children safe from harm when involved in any football activity organized or endorsed by FAM in Maldives or overseas.
The orientations are part of the Action Plan formulated to roll-out the policy and educate relevant personnel at FAM, Clubs and Academies on child safeguarding. The programme, commenced on 8th September 2021 at the ARC convention hall was facilitated by Mr. Muruthala Moosa, Executive Committee Member at ARC who is also the co-chair of the working group on the FAM Child Safeguarding Policy.
The FAM Child Safeguarding Policy, an initiative of the FAM foundation in partnership with ARC, was formulated in line with the laws and regulations of Maldives and the Minimum Standards established by FIFA, in consultation with relevant institutions, clubs, academies and children. This is the first nation-wide policy to promote and protect rights of children in sports in a systematic manner.