CAFA successfully organized the CAFA Child Safeguarding Seminar 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, bringing together safeguarding officers and youth competition managers from all six CAFA Member Associations, along with representatives from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
This two-day seminar was designed to enhance the capacity of Member Associations in protecting children and vulnerable individuals involved in football. With a growing focus on creating safe environments across all levels of the game, the seminar served as an important platform for education, discussion, and practical learning.
Led by Morgan Lander, a safeguarding expert and AFC consultant, the seminar covered key themes including:
- Introduction to safeguarding in sport
- Recognizing signs of abuse and neglect
- Creating safe and inclusive spaces in football
- Ethics, legal responsibilities, and policy-making
- Structuring effective safeguarding systems
- Procedures for reporting and responding to concerns
Participants engaged in both theoretical and practical components, with the second day of the seminar featuring scenario-based exercises at Dustlik Stadium, the official venue of the CAFA U17 Championship 2025. These activities allowed attendees to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts, enhancing the relevance and impact of the training.
By fostering open dialogue and providing practical tools, the seminar reinforced CAFA’s commitment to safeguarding as a fundamental pillar of football development.
“At CAFA, we believe that football should be a safe, welcoming, and empowering space for everyone. Together, we can ensure that children and adults alike can experience the joy of football in a secure and supportive environment,” stated the General Secretary of CAFA, Mr, Ulugbek Karimov.
This initiative reflects CAFA’s continued alignment with AFC and FIFA safeguarding frameworks, promoting the protection and well-being of all participants in football across Central Asia.
