Advancing Safe Migration Through Sport: Experts Explore Trafficking Prevention in Mega-Sporting Events
In a united effort to address human trafficking in sports, Mission 89, Generation Amazing Foundation and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Qatar, Mission 89, hosted an impactful roundtable discussion. The event brought together global leaders, athletes, and advocates to share insights and reaffirm their commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals in the sports sector.
Themed “Expanding the Fight Against Human Trafficking: Prevention of Trafficking in Mega-Sport Events,” the event opened with opening remarks from the Executive Director, Mission 89, Ms. Lerina Bright, Deputy Director General of Operations, IOM, Ugochi Daniels, and Ms. Ewa Naqvi, Chief of Mission, IOM Qatar who spoke all about the evolving landscape of mega-sporting events.
Ms. Ewa Naqvi provided context about the international dimensions of sports trafficking. “Qatar’s position as a global sporting hub gives us both an opportunity and a responsibility,” she noted. “While data shows that major sporting events can become focal points for trafficking networks, these same events can become powerful platforms for prevention and awareness through adequate preparation and partnership. The protocols we’re developing here in Qatar can serve as a model for sporting events worldwide.”
In her address, Ms. Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89, emphasised that the trafficking of young athletes is a crime against individuals and an assault on the essence and integrity of sports. “As sports fans and anti-trafficking advocates all look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, we understand that the trafficking risks we’ve documented are evolving. Through Mission 89’s work, we’ve learned that prevention requires not just vigilance, but a complete reimagining of how we protect young athletes in the global sports ecosystem”.
The event featured a landmark presentation of the new Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking by Dr. Monique Emser, providing new insights into the mechanisms of exploitation. The report revealed disturbing trends, including an increase in reported cases of sports-related trafficking over the past five years, complex recruitment networks operating across multiple continents, the exploitation of digital platforms to target vulnerable youth, and the particular vulnerability of athletes from developing nations.
Nasser Al-Khori, the executive director of Generation Amazing Foundation, highlighted how Qatar’s World Cup legacy is being leveraged through sport for development programmes to build resilient communities. “GA was born from Qatar’s World Cup journey, reaching over a billion people across four continents. Now, as a key legacy foundation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we’re leveraging our global football for development network to contribute to safeguarding efforts and protecting vulnerable young athletes worldwide. I believe that the State of Qatar has continued to deliver on its promise of legacy by acting as an oasis of dialogue on mega sporting event related research.”
The event, moderated by renowned human rights advocate Professor Parosha Chandran, provided a platform for critical discourse on leveraging international collaboration to address sport-related human trafficking. Reflecting on the broader implications, Professor Chandran remarked, “Mega-sporting events hold immense power to unite people across borders, yet their shadows can harbor exploitation and suffering. We must confront this reality with unwavering resolve. Let today be a turning point—where we not only envision safe spaces in sports but actively create them.”
Mr. Umar Garba Baba, Former INTERPOL Vice President (Africa), shared critical insights into cross-border trafficking operations, while professional footballer Ashleigh Plumptre offered powerful examples of the vulnerabilities young athletes face. “The exploitation often begins with a simple promise,” Plumptre noted. “Our responsibility is to ensure these promises don’t become pathways to trafficking.”
To underscore the country’s commitment to addressing sports trafficking, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Melrose Karminty said, “Sierra Leone stands ready to lead by example,” Minister Karminty affirmed. “That is why I am delighted to announce our intention to host the first-ever global conference on sports trafficking. This conference will provide a platform for countries, institutions, and stakeholders to collaborate on practical solutions to this pressing issue.”
The day concluded with The Walking Football Match, an innovative advocacy initiative by Generation Amazing Foundation that emphasises the importance of communication and access to adequate resources. The initiative demonstrated how sports can serve as both a medium for awareness and a tool for change.
For media inquiries, please reach out to media@mission89.org
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