The Málaga City Council, together with CIFAL Málaga and SOI FI, has signed an agreement to ensure safe environments in grassroots sports. Actions will begin in September.
The Málaga City Council, the CIFAL Málaga Association, and the SOI FI Association for Impact in Training have signed an agreement to protect minors and prevent violence in municipal grassroots sports. The agreement, presented by Mayor Francisco de la Torre, will start next September and will be valid for four years, extendable.
Training and protocols for safe sports
The agreement is based on the Law 8/2021 on Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence (LOPIVI), which requires clubs and entities to implement preventive measures. The actions include technical training, family awareness, and action protocols. According to the City Council, annual workshops will be held for 500 family members in collaboration with five entities.
SOI FI, a non-profit organization, will carry out the educational part. It will train 600 athletes in person and 50 coaches online through the ‘Learnwords’ platform. CIFAL Málaga, for its part, will provide international certification under the UNITAR framework of the United Nations and align the content with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We want sports to be a space of coexistence and values, free from any form of violence,” said the mayor during the presentation.
The 090 Platform, the core of the program
The scope of application covers the municipal programs of the Sports Area, especially the 090 Platform, which integrates 65 football clubs and 15,000 athletes. It also includes the School Age Sports Support Program, with 27 entities. The 090 Platform, created in 2019, promotes fair play and conflict resolution.
Among the new features, the role of Protection Mentor will be implemented in the sports field. Additionally, specific safety protocols will be drafted, and strategies will be designed for vulnerable groups. The agreement is supported by the Royal Andalusian Football Federation, the Andalusian Basketball Federation, Málaga CF, and the Andalusian Handball Federation.
For the residents of Málaga, this means that their children will be able to practice sports in a safer environment, with trained monitors and clear channels to report any incidents. Families will also receive training to detect and prevent risky situations.
Business support and no economic cost
The agreement does not involve economic compensation, but it has the strategic support of companies such as Fundación “la Caixa”, General de Galerías Comerciales (La Cañada Shopping Centre and Azucarera Shopping), Bocaboca Dental Clinics, Fundación Cajasol, and Lumon. These entities will collaborate in the dissemination and sustainability of the program.
Actions will begin in September, coinciding with the start of the sports season. Interested clubs can join the initiative through the City Council's Sports Area. A measure that will surely make many parents breathe easier while their children enjoy sports.
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