Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 11, 2026: The Olympic Council of Asia is stressing the importance of National Olympic Committees to appoint a safeguarding officer for the 20th Asian Games.
The reminder comes as NOCs are finalizing accreditations with organising committee AINAGOC ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games from September 19 to October 4.
In a circular to NOCs, the OCA says: “The NOC Safeguarding Officer plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, wellbeing and protection of all members of the delegation, particularly athletes.
“The presence of a trained and accessible Safeguarding Officer helps create a safe environment where concerns can be raised, managed appropriately and addressed in a timely manner.”
Key responsibilities of the NOC Safeguarding Officer during the Games include:
• Acting as the primary safeguarding focal point for the delegation.
• Being visible, approachable and accessible to athletes and team officials.
• Providing safeguarding information and support to delegation members.
• Monitoring the wellbeing of athletes and identifying potential safeguarding concerns.
• Receiving and responding to safeguarding disclosures or reports.
• Maintaining communication with the Games/OCA Safeguarding Officers and following established reporting procedures.
• Promoting a safe, respectful and athlete-centred environment throughout the Games.
All nominated NOC Safeguarding Officers will undergo a due diligence verification process conducted by OCA.
For more details, contact OCA Safeguarding Officer Sabine Fakhoury by email at sabine@oca.asia.