Tonga Football Association marked the International Safe Sport Day at the Home of Football with a festival hosted by the Just Play Grassroots programme, on Saturday 7th of August, 2021.
Eighteen communities attended the festival, including parents, volunteers and staff and they were very supportive and happy to see their children enjoying the festival.
Safe Sport Day helps emphasise the importance of ensuring that sport is safe for every child. More than 565 children of U4-U18 children were gathered at the Home of Football to take part in the day’s activities.
According to the Head of Social Responsibility, Mrs Palu Uhatahi-Tu’amoheloa said: “Tonga Football Association with our core funders such as FIFA, UNICEF Pacific, UEFA Foundation for Children, Australian Government and New Zealand Government collaborate to protect children from all forms of violence such as neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.
This is in line with our vision to popularize the game in a safe and friendly environment inclusively.
With support from FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation, we already delivered Safeguarding Orientation to our Executive members and will be to all staff working for Tonga Football Association in the coming week,” said Tuamoheloa.
Just Play Grassroots age groups are vulnerable to all form of abuse and getting them altogether to participate in the Safe in Sport festival, helps them to enjoy their lives and know how to keep them safe.
Women and Children Crisis Centre were also present during the festival to promote the importance of safety in children’s’ lives. Part of their talking points was focused on “not to accept gift from strangers” was also emphasized by songs that helps children to remembered at home, schools or anywhere they go to.
The Technical Director, Kilifi Uele and Just Play Master instructor, Lafaele Moala, along with the Just Play Grassroots team, helped the volunteers to organise and run fun activities for the children. They also assisted with ensuring that children were safely enjoying the festival.
This programme can help to ensure children are able to learn, play and enjoy football, and help them to live in a safe environment. Also, it can help to build a safe environment for children to feel secure.
The Just Play Grassroot team are working together to #EndViolence not only in football but across Tonga as a whole and to lead the children to a safer community and environment.
