AHF: FIH appoints safeguarding experts for upcoming Junior World Cups

Following the successful experience at the previous FIH Hockey Junior World Cups in 2023, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is proud to announce that this initiative will be reiterated this year.

FIH has appointed two experts in this field—Marialoreto Gonzalez (Chile) and Nirmal Kumar (India)—as Safeguarding Officers for the Women’s and Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cups, respectively.

The primary mission of the Safeguarding Officers is to create an environment of safety, well-being, and protection for all rising hockey stars who will showcase their talents at the highest global event for this age category. This will be achieved by providing athletes with access to preventive and educational resources.

Of course, in addition to that, the Safeguarding Officers will be available to address any safeguarding issues that may arise during the tournaments, ensuring complete confidentiality.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram, commenting on this renewed initiative, said: “Safeguarding has become one of the most important aspects of sports governance. Athletes are at the centre of everything we do. As an International Federation, it is our duty to implement all possible measures and frameworks to ensure our athletes develop in an environment where they feel safe enough to perform at their best. This commitment is especially crucial for young athletes. Through our initiative to appoint Safeguarding Officers for the upcoming FIH Hockey Junior World Cups, we are embracing our responsibility with full determination.”

Marialoreto Gonzalez is a lawyer holding a Master’s degree in Law and Gender, specialising in sexual crimes, violence, and abuse. She is a member of the Panam Sports Safe Sports Commission and serves as the lawyer in charge of the Office for Respect Unit at the Chilean Olympic Committee and has extensive experience in abuse legislation. She has also worked as a Welfare Officer at various major sporting events and has contributed to establishing safe sport offices across multiple Pan American Olympic Committees, including the development of protocols and relevant legislation.

As Head of Player Care department at FC Madras, Nirmal Kumar brings over six years of experience in managing and safeguarding young athletes. He has led the implementation of child protection policies, conducted awareness and training sessions, and overseen incident reporting protocols. His leadership has fostered a safe, respectful, and supportive environment within the academy.

Commenting on their appointment, both Safeguarding Officers said: “We would like to express our sincere enthusiasm and deep appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with FIH. We understand the critical importance of the Safeguarding Officers in ensuring a safe, positive, and supportive environment for all participants. We look forward to working closely with FIH and contributing to the success of these major events.”

Source: FIH.hockey