Abu Dhabi reinforces commitment to child safety in sports

Virtual workshop explores protection policies and legal mechanisms in sports institutions

Last updated: October 23, 2025 | 12:42

2 MIN READ

The initiative aims to raise institutional and community awareness of child protection policies and promote the concept of child-friendly justice — particularly in sports settings where children interact regularly with technical and administrative staff.

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) organised a workshop titled “Child-Friendly Justice and Child Protection Policy in Sports Institutions” as part of the “Year of Community 2025” initiatives, continuing its efforts to strengthen the child rights protection framework in line with the highest international standards.

Held via the Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy’s virtual platform, the workshop saw wide participation from representatives of sports institutions, government entities, and specialists in childhood, education, and protection from within the UAE and abroad.

The initiative aims to raise institutional and community awareness of child protection policies and promote the concept of child-friendly justice — particularly in sports settings where children interact regularly with technical and administrative staff. Discussions reviewed the legal and procedural aspects of protection policies in sports clubs and outlined mechanisms for implementation in accordance with the Federal Law on Child Rights and relevant international conventions.

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Speakers also highlighted the importance of integrating child-friendly justice principles into sports environments by respecting children’s privacy, ensuring their participation in shaping related procedures, developing the capacities of personnel to handle cases of abuse or neglect, and fostering a culture of protection within families and society.

Key recommendations included verifying the conduct of employees and volunteers before allowing them to work with children, establishing a unified electronic channel between the judiciary and sports bodies for confidential reporting and preservation of digital evidence — in coordination with the Family and Child Prosecution — and preparing a simplified procedural guide that considers the age and psychological needs of children during testimony.

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The workshop forms part of a series of initiatives launched since ADJD’s “Child-Friendly Justice” programme began in 2021, which has included developing child-sensitive investigation environments, delivering advanced training for specialists, and strengthening partnerships with national and international institutions.

Abdulla RasheedEditor - Abu Dhabi

Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi  is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief fo Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of the Research Center, and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad  and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical take on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders including UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world.