UAE football children's programme lauded by Fifa and AFC

UAE Pro League first governing body in Middle East to launch child-safeguarding initiative

Waleed Al Hosani, the UAE Pro League’s CEO. Courtesy UAE Pro League

Both Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have praised the UAE Pro League after it became the first governing body in the Middle East to launch a child-safeguarding programme.

Announced on Thursday, the initiative’s primary focus is to ensure children can enjoy playing football in a safe and inclusive environment, with its aim to prevent any harm to children involved in the game.

Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior Child Protection Centre, the programme will work in alignment with Fifa and AFC. It targets four key objectives: implementing safeguarding measures to create a safe football environment; facilitating the reporting of concerns; ensuring the swift investigation of concerns; increasing awareness of child safety and protection within clubs.

Waleed Al Hosani, the UAE Pro League’s CEO, said in a statement: "Child protection and welfare have always been a priority for the UAE's leadership, and it is our role to work with organisations such as Fifa, the AFC, UAE FA and the Ministry of Interior to ensure children of the UAE are safeguarded within the football environment.

"At the UAE Pro League, we intend to be a leading light in Asia by adopting a clear policy in child safeguarding – a step towards a brighter future for football and all of its stakeholders. We are delighted to be the pioneers in this region and among the first in Asia to commit to delivering an effective safeguarding policy."

In response to the initiative, AFC general secretary Dato' Windsor John said: “The AFC Executive Committee pledged to make safeguarding a key initiative when they met in November 2018 and we are delighted that so many stakeholders, like the UAE Pro League, have followed our lead.

"We congratulate them and wish them the very best of success with their ground-breaking safeguarding initiatives, which provide a strong lead for many other member associations and leagues in Asia.”

Joyce Cook, Fifa’s chief social responsibility and education officer added: “Fifa believes that every child who plays or participates in football has the right to do so in a fun and safe environment. We welcome the proactive efforts by the UAE Pro League to launch this new programme and its commitment to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Interior Child Protection Centre to roll out safeguarding training to all clubs in the country.”