Mission 89 and United Through Sports Launch Global Campaign To Combat Trafficking in Persons and Safeguard Children in Sport

To mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, two leading nonprofit organisations, Mission 89 and United Through Sports, have launched a global campaign to raise awareness of child exploitation, abuse and trafficking in sport.

Themed The Line We Don’t Cross, the initiative is led by Mission 89 official ambassador and professional footballer Ashleigh Plumptre. It is intended to unite sports federations, professional clubs, agent associations, corporate sponsors, regional bodies and member states behind a commitment to ethical recruitment practices and enhanced safeguarding measures.

Plumptre, a 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champion who plays on the Nigerian Women’s National Team and Al-Ittihad F.C. in Saudi Arabia, remarked that “the reality is that fake agents frequently exploit the dreams of young children for whom football represents a chance for a different future.” Emphasising the scope of the issue, she noted that “tragically, an estimated 15,000 young football players are trafficked from West Africa each year.”

A recent UN report (March 2025) underscores the urgency of the issue: children now account for 38% of all trafficking victims worldwide. The sports sector has become a prime target for traffickers, with the player transfer industry valued at approximately $8.6 billion last year. Unscrupulous agents often entice young athletes, especially those from vulnerable communities, with false promises of training or competition abroad. Tragically, many aspiring athletes end up exploited, forced into labour, or even abandoned overseas.

By raising awareness of this issue and advocating for crucial changes, the campaign aims to create a safer and more supportive environment for youth involved in sports, ensuring their well-being and development are prioritised at every level of competition.

“We cannot continue to celebrate the power of sport while ignoring the risks faced by young athletes,” said Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89. “#TheLineWeDon’tCross is about ensuring that every child who dreams of making it in sport is safe, supported, and never exploited. We want organisations and stakeholders in the industry to join us, and through that, we can build a future of sport that we can all be proud of.”

“This is more than a campaign, it’s a long overdue commitment to do better, act with urgency, and to safeguard the well-being of young people everywhere,” emphasised Julia Govinden, CEO of United Through Sports.

Leaders of sports organisations can sign an integrity commitment affirming zero tolerance for child trafficking, in, through and around sport. In doing so, they commit to integrate anti-trafficking standards, such as modern slavery statements, into their governance; to educate their communities about recruitment risks; and to utilise Mission 89’s specialised toolkit of resources and training materials. The campaign will establish a network of dedicated organisations globally that is committed to promoting ethical recruitment in sport.

Mission 89 commits to provide partners with a comprehensive toolkit including infographics, videos with trafficking statistics, prevention strategy slide decks, and materials for athletes and officials. The toolkit will feature adaptable practical resources such as Modern Slavery Statement templates, Parent Consent Forms, and safeguarding policies. Live workshops will train coaches and officials in their use, enabling campaign participants to share knowledge and improve protection for young athletes.

Mission 89 and UTS invite all sports professionals and supporters to stand with us for #TheLineWeDontCross. To do this, you can register your interest in reviewing the campaign via the link below. Together, the sports community will turn this declaration campaign into a powerful force that guarantees safe, dignified opportunities for every young athlete.