Affiliates complete preparatory Safeguarding Training sessions

Eleven affiliates of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee (SVGOC), attended a three-day preparatory training course in Safeguarding, from February 18 to 21, 2026, which focussed on Safeguarding.

Piloted by the Safe Sports Commission of the SVGOC, the sessions conducted at the conference room of the University of the West Indies Global Campus saw the participants being lectured on a range of issues pertaining to Safeguarding. These included safeguarding structures, policies and procedures; identifying and responding to safety concerns; cultural and contextual sensitivity; safeguarding at events and practice; responsibilities of a safety officer; and building a Safeguarding culture

The main facilitators at the sessions were Shimano Bailey; along with Keith Joseph, General Secretary of the SVG Olympic Committee; Dellon Durrant, member of the Safe Sports Commission; and Kia Prince, member of the Safe Sports Commission and safety officer of the SVG Football Federation.

Reflecting on the course, lead person of the Safe Sports Commission, Shimano Bailey said the foundation has been set for the certification process to roll out.

“By September of this year, we want to have a professional educational course in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Global Campus here in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Bailey stated.

He said the course tested the waters and this will instruct them going forward.

The affiliates were examined through a group presentation and a written examination.

“We will do a survey, put together a review and see how we will be going forward,” Bailey noted. He underscored that St Vincent and the Grenadines is in a relatively good place in terms of reaching their goals.

Bailey revealed that three disciplines- Football, Athletics and Cycling- have trained Safeguarding officers in place and plans are for the other affiliates to do likewise.

“The ultimate goal is to have five trained Safeguarding Officers for each sport. We are looking at twenty five in the next five years. What we want to do as well, is change the culture, by training these personnel,” Bailey also said.

The Safe Sports Commission of the SVGOC was officially launched in November, 2024.