FIBA Safeguarding Policy ‘sets a fantastic example’ for sports world — Prince Feisal

AMMAN — HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Chair of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Working Group on Safeguarding, emphasised the importance of continuing to improve safety in sport during a keynote speech at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Congress in Manila.

Prince Feisal praised the federation for its proactive approach, reiterating that there remains work to be done in this area. He focused on the need for safeguarding to be a top priority for all organisations across the world, also noting the importance of implementing robust systems at a local level, according to a statement from the Jordan Olympic Committee.

Prince Feisal said: “The speed with which FIBA moved to finalise its Safeguarding Policy in the second half of 2022 showed the federation’s commitment. To have FIBA, the International Federation for one of the most popular sports in the Olympic Movement, take responsibility in this manner sets a fantastic example for other IFs and it sets a fantastic example for the National Federations.”

“While FIBA is able to set guidelines and policy, to advise on how best to approach safeguarding, it has to be implemented at a local level. This is a key focus of the work that I am leading with the IOC’s Working Group on Safeguarding, in which FIBA is represented. We are working to establish independent systems and structures to support and assist with the strengthening of safeguarding in sport at the local level.”

“Change is coming, and we need National Federations to drive this forward to ensure safeguarding is considered by every club. That is every National Federation around the world because this is a global issue. During my involvement with safeguarding, I have seen incidents in all corners of the world. Nobody should believe that their country is free from issues in this area. The responsibility falls on all of us.”

On the second day of the 22nd FIBA congress, Prince Feisal will attend the safeguarding and integrity breakout session before attending the tournament’s opening games at the Philippine Arena on August 25, with Angola set to take on Italy, and the Philippines facing off against the Dominican Republic.

An IOC Executive Board Member and President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, Prince Feisal is the Founding Chair of FIBA’s Safeguarding Council.

In addition to leading the IOC’s Working Group on Safeguarding, Prince Feisal is Vice Chair of the IOC’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission and Chair of the IOC Prevention of Harassment and Abuse in Sport Working Group.