Manama, Bahrain, October 28, 2025: The OCA has thanked the Bahrain Asian Youth Games Organising Committee for ensuring that the 3rd AYG was conducted in a safe environment for the young athletes.
Ms. Sabine Fakhoury, OCA Gender Equity and Safeguarding Manager, in an address to safeguarding officers from Asian National Olympic Committees, said the organisers of the ongoing Asian Youth Games should be applauded for providing a safe setting for the 4,067 athletes in Bahrain.
“I thank BAYGOC for their hard work in ensuring that the Games were safe and well-organised,” Ms. Fakhoury told an NOC Safeguarding Officers engagement session at the Gulf Hotel on Sunday, October 26.
“The joint OCA/BAYGOC reporting mechanisms that were established including email, hotline, and in-person reporting contributed significantly to maintaining a safe Games environment,” she noted.
To ensure safe surroundings, a Case and Complaints Management Committee was established comprising representatives from BAYGOC, the Asian Safeguarding in Sport Network (ASSN), and the OCA. This body met every 48 hours to review and discuss any cases.
All NOC delegations had previously signed the OCA Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
Most of the athletes, boys and girls, at these games were between 14 and 17 years.
“It is important to note that thanks to BAYGOC’s effort, the Asian Youth Games were conducted in a safe and supportive atmosphere,” Ms. Fakhoury said.
Over 20 safeguarding officers from different NOCs attended the engagement and get-to-know each other session during which a one-hour workshop was conducted by Ms. Syahirah Latiff, Education and Training Manager of Safe Sport Singapore.
The role of safeguarding officers in the NOC was among the topics discussed.
The OCA’s future plans and vision on safeguarding was also presented by Ms. Fakhoury where the importance of having a certified Safeguarding Officer in each NOC for all Asian Games events was underlined.