Skip to content
OFC
Home Safeguarding

Safeguarding

الحماية

Safe sport

Safeguarding

سياسة الحماية

Protecting athletes — especially minors — from harm. This policy sets the standards every coach, official, parent, athlete and volunteer must meet under the Oman Fencing Committee.

Commitment

Every person involved in fencing in Oman — athletes, coaches, officials, parents and spectators — deserves to feel safe. The Oman Fencing Committee adopts the FIE Safe Sport Framework and the Omani Child Law (2014), and enforces a zero-tolerance stance toward harassment, abuse, bullying and discrimination.

Scope

This policy applies at every OFC-sanctioned venue, camp, tournament, training session, online channel, bus journey and hotel stay. It covers physical, emotional, sexual and neglect-based harm, as well as harassment, bullying, grooming, hazing and discrimination.

Standards of behaviour

Coaches and officials must never meet a minor one-to-one without another adult present, never engage in physical contact beyond what coaching requires, and never exchange private messages with an under-18 athlete outside approved channels. Photography and video of minors require informed parental consent.

Screening & training

All coaches, referees, officials and support staff must hold a clean criminal-record certificate (renewed every three years) and complete Safe Sport training before their first contact with athletes. Training is renewed every two years.

Reporting

Anyone who witnesses or suspects harm must report it — silence is never acceptable. Reports may be made in person, by email, or confidentially through the Safeguarding Officer. Reports involving criminal conduct are referred to the Royal Oman Police. Good-faith reporters are protected from retaliation.

Response process

1) Acknowledge the report within 24 hours. 2) Ensure immediate safety of the complainant. 3) Refer criminal matters to police. 4) Launch internal investigation led by the Safeguarding Officer, independent of the accused's line manager. 5) Impose interim measures if needed. 6) Reach a documented outcome and communicate it with care and privacy.

Sanctions

Confirmed violations carry sanctions up to lifetime ban from Omani fencing, loss of accreditation, financial penalties, and criminal referral. All decisions are subject to appeal under Article 9 of the bylaws.

Report a concern

If you believe a child or athlete is at risk, act now. Any harm involving a child should also be reported to the Royal Oman Police at 9999.

Contact Safeguarding Officer