#Opinion

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) deserves recognition for strengthening its commitment to child safeguarding and protection through its latest policy.

In an era when football reaches millions of young people across Asia, protecting children must be regarded as more than an administrative responsibility. It is a fundamental duty of every organisation involved in the game.

The AFC’s expanded Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy sends an important message: the welfare, safety and rights of children must come before the game itself.

What is particularly commendable is the policy’s recognition that safeguarding is not simply a collection of procedures. It is about building a culture in which every child is valued, respected, listened to and protected from harm.

The policy places the best interests of the child at its centre while emphasising the importance of participation, dignity, inclusion and protection from violence, abuse and exploitation. It also recognises that children must be protected regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, social or economic background, or other personal circumstances.

This is an important principle for Asian football, which brings together diverse cultures, communities and societies across the continent.

Football has an extraordinary ability to shape young lives. For many children, the football field is where they develop confidence, discipline, friendships, teamwork and aspirations. It can be a place of education and personal development, not merely competition.

That is precisely why the environment surrounding young players matters so much.

The AFC’s acknowledgement that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility is particularly significant. Coaches, volunteers, administrators, parents, officials, Member Associations, Regional Associations and other stakeholders all have a role to play.

Safeguarding cannot succeed if it remains the responsibility of one department or a handful of individuals. It must become part of the everyday culture of football.

The policy’s commitment to further guidance, training, knowledge-sharing and practical resources is also encouraging. A policy is only meaningful when people understand it and have the tools and confidence to implement it.

Equally important is the AFC’s recognition that the policy is an evolving document. Child safeguarding practices must continue to develop alongside legislation, international standards, research and practical experience. A willingness to listen, learn and improve is essential when dealing with an issue as important as child protection.

The reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child further reinforces the fundamental principle that every child has the right to live free from violence, exploitation and abuse.

For Asian football, this should be more than a policy statement. It should become a shared commitment across every level of the game.

The AFC has an enormous platform and influence. By placing child safeguarding firmly within its broader vision for Asian football, it can help set standards that Member Associations, clubs, academies and grassroots organisations can follow.

Ultimately, the success of football should not only be measured by trophies, rankings, stadiums or commercial growth. It should also be measured by the environment we create for the next generation.

A child who walks onto a football pitch should feel safe.

A young player should be able to trust the adults around them.

And every child should have the opportunity to enjoy football, develop their potential and pursue their dreams without fear of abuse, exploitation or discrimination.

The AFC’s strengthened policy is therefore a welcome and necessary step. More importantly, it represents an opportunity to turn principles into everyday practice throughout Asian football.

Protecting children is not an optional commitment. It is the foundation upon which the future of football must be built.

For taking this responsibility seriously and placing the rights, safety and wellbeing of children at the heart of its football ecosystem, the AFC deserves to be commended.

Read the article  — https://presskl.com/2026/08/26/afc-expands-child-safeguarding-and-protection-policy-with-comprehensive-new-guidance/

The Opinion is shared by Ramani Parkunan.