PSC reiterates the needs on promotion of safe sports

The Philippine Sports Commission will host a Safe Sport Workshop for National Sports Associations on April 19-20, 2024.

This is an initiative of Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, PSC’s oversight for coaches’ and athletes’ welfare. The workshop aims to support the IOC’s mission: “to place athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement, wherein the IOC has been committed to developing programs and initiatives to ensure that every athlete can train and compete in a safe sporting environment – one that is fair, equitable and free from all forms of harassment and abuse (Safe Sport, n.d.)[1].”

Invites have been sent out to all the National Sports Associations, including the sports under the Philippine Paralympic Committee, to send a member of their board of trustees or officials, a coach, and an athlete to participate in the Safe Sport Workshop. About 40 NSAs have registered to date.

This project would provide guidance to NSAs as they begin developing their safeguarding systems. Through PSC’s collaboration with the NSAs, risks to safety and potential harm and abuse will be reduced, and responding to concerns will be more effective and efficient, benefiting the Philippine sports communities.

According to Comm. Bong Coo, “It’s about time we take the training and education to another level. After all, safeguarding is everyone’s business.” “PSC recognized and identified the urgent need to educate the sports community on safeguarding and hopefully jumpstart the policy-making for each NSA that attends,” she adds.

The workshop aims for all the participating NSAs to be aware of and appreciate the importance of establishing a safeguarding system within their respective organizations and commit to developing their corresponding safeguarding system within their sport.