Safeguarding in Sport Takes Centre Stage at National Workshop in Lesotho

National sport federations in Lesotho recently gathered at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre for an important Safeguarding in Sport workshop focused on improving safety and protection for athletes across all levels. The session brought together administrators, coaches, and officials from various sporting bodies to address growing concerns around athlete welfare and ethical conduct in sport. The main aim was to strengthen systems that protect participants and ensure that sporting environments remain safe and supportive. The workshop was led through collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture and the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission. It marked a coordinated effort to build stronger governance in sport structures nationwide.

The Department of Sports, working with the Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission, organized the training to respond to the need for safer sporting environments. Officials highlighted that safeguarding must be treated as a core responsibility rather than an optional guideline. Participants examined key issues such as risk identification, reporting channels, and prevention of abuse in training and competition settings. The sessions also focused on how federations can build clear safeguarding policies that are applied consistently at club and national level. Practical exercises helped participants understand how these policies translate into everyday decision making.

During the opening of the workshop, Manager Recreation Mrs Matšepiso Khau stressed the importance of making safeguarding a central part of sport development. She explained that safe sport environments are essential for building trust between athletes, coaches, parents, and governing bodies. Her message emphasized that performance and development cannot exist without protection and accountability. She also pointed out that safeguarding supports long term growth in sport by creating confidence in the system. Her remarks set the tone for discussions that followed throughout the training.

Participants engaged in detailed case studies that reflected real challenges faced in sporting environments. These scenarios helped them explore how to respond to misconduct, protect vulnerable athletes, and maintain ethical standards under pressure. The training encouraged open discussion on how to turn safeguarding principles into daily practice within teams and federations. Officials also shared experiences from their own sporting codes, which helped highlight gaps in current systems. The focus remained on building practical skills that can be used immediately in clubs and training environments.

The Lesotho Sport and Recreation Commission noted that safeguarding standards in sport must align with international best practice while still reflecting local values of respect and community care. The Department of Sports added that this workshop forms part of a wider strategy to improve governance and professionalism in all national federations. Officials stated that consistent education and monitoring will be needed to ensure long term impact. They also emphasized that protecting athletes is directly linked to building stronger and more competitive national teams. The message was clear that development in sport starts with safety and accountability.

The workshop closed with a strong commitment from all participants to improve safeguarding practices across their respective federations. It reinforced the idea that every athlete, coach, and official deserves a safe environment from training grounds to competition arenas. The gathering highlighted that progress in sport depends not only on talent and infrastructure but also on trust and protection. Lesotho’s sporting leadership used this platform to reaffirm its focus on athlete welfare as a national priority. The initiative signals a continued push toward safer and more professional sport systems across the country.