WAFF and RTP Seek to Implement Safeguarding Initiatives in West Asia
The West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) and Right To Play (RTP) have signed a partnership agreement to raise the capacity of member associations in West Asia to deliver services and apply knowledge relevant to child safeguarding and protection, whereas the agreement includes development programs to raise the level of awareness and knowledge of child safeguarding in football.
The Regional Educational Partnership for Sports (REPS) project between WAFF and RTP will be implemented over five months, applying child safeguarding and sport for development methodologies, through the establishment of a customized manual and delivery of customized trainings for member associations to carry out their responsibilities in greater depth and meet the expected needs of beneficiaries.
Moreover, the manual and trainings will be designed and implemented under the guidelines of FIFA and the AFC, to keep in line with the pioneers of safeguarding initiatives in football. Following the leading role the AFC has taken towards protecting and safeguarding children in football and as a continuation to the recently launched AFC Child Safeguarding Policy, the support of this partnership comes from the AFC Regional Association Fund (ARAF), a capacity-building programme that aims to support regional associations and their member associations.
AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “On behalf of the AFC, I would like to congratulate the West Asian Football Federation and Right To Play for embarking on this meaningful and game-changing journey.
“The AFC remains steadfast in our commitment to protect our beautiful game and in ensuring our future generations can continue to grow and develop a passion for football in the most conducive environment
“Our ambitions rely significantly on the collective efforts of our MAs, RAs and the larger Asian football ecosystem so I applaud the WAFF and RTP for sharing the AFC’s belief and we wish them the very best of success.”
Khalil Al Salem, General Secretary of WAFF, stated: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Right To Play, the aim of which is to raise safeguarding standards in football. We have a firm commitment to ensuring that children practice the right of playing football in a safe environment.”
Lara Obeidat, Country Director of RTP, also welcomed the partnership by adding: “We welcome this partnership; it is a major milestone for future collaboration; in which we commit ourselves to share with WAFF our best practices in children safeguarding in the field of sports for development.”
About WAFF
West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) is a regional federation of football governed under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), compromised of 12 member associations within West Asia.
Through organizing various football competitions, providing an educational platform, and playing an active role in social responsibility and safeguarding, WAFF continuously works to develop the game in the region.
About RTP
Right To Play (RTP) is a non-profit global organization working in 14 countries to protect, educate, and empower children to rise above adversity using the power of play.
Right To Play has been working in Jordan since 2006, and has been providing transformative opportunities to Jordanian, Palestinian, and Syrian children, youth, caregivers and teachers through play-based programming and sport for development.