New initiative to help prevent child trafficking in sport

Every year, thousands of children are trafficked in sport. On the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, July 30, GoodCorporation and Mission 89 launched a framework to safeguard children from trafficking in sport.

Among the organisation backing the principles outlined in the framework is FIFA.

The framework has been designed to help clubs and sporting bodies stop child trafficking in sport. It draws on best practice models from international organisations such as UNICEF, FIFA and StreetFootballWorld.

Paul Tergat, former world marathon record holder and elite Kenyan long distance runner backed this initiative to prevent child trafficking in sport.

“There is a general growing and serious problem where people are exploiting sports to engage in human trafficking, especially targeting children. Every effort to curb this vice deserves the support of all of us that love and protect the beauty and spirit of sports. As such, I welcome the launch of this noble and timely framework and laud the efforts of Mission 89 and GoodCorporation in seeking to combat this menace.”

The framework is currently being piloted by the International Federations of Muaythai Associations, an IOC recognised organisation.

Stephan Fox, Secretary General of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) and President of the Alliance of Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) said: “The trafficking of children and talented young athletes in the name sport is an abomination. At IFMA we take our child protection and safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. We recognise our duty, or rather our responsibility, to ensure that all our Nak Muays (athletes) are properly protected.”

Coverage of the launch appeared in The Evening Standard, Around the Rings and the Ghana Web.