Safeguarding in sports is the proactive work of sports organizations to prevent and address harassment and abuse, and to create environments that prioritize the well-being of athletes. Photo: IOC

BVIOC President Mr Ephraim E. Penn said they aim to have a safeguarding individual on all national sporting federations in the Virgin Islands. Photo: BVIOC

President of the BVIOC Mr Ephraim E. Penn, disclosed this to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) following his re-election as the committee’s president on December 6, 2024, stating, “One of the major buzzwords in international sports now is ‘safeguarding’.”

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), “Safeguarding in sports is the proactive work of sports organizations to prevent and address harassment and abuse, and to create environments that prioritize the well-being of athletes.”

BVIOC to work with national federations on safeguarding

“So we are going to form a Safeguarding Commission. We already have our office manager trained by the Olympic Solidarity,” Mr Penn said.

The BVIOC he added is in contact with an expert in Trinidad who will work with them. The goal Mr Penn said is to work closely with the national sporting federations in the Virgin Islands to ensure they each have a safeguarding person.

This is vital to best handling situations that may arise.

“Because these are very delicate issues and depending on how they’re handled they can be blown out of proportion and it’s reputational risk involved so we’re going to make sure that things are handled properly,” Mr Penn explained.

Meanwhile, the BVIOC, he revealed, will create a British Virgin Islands Academy to chronicle its history as well as continue its long-term athlete development programme.