23 September 2026 | South Tarawa, Kiribati | The Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP), in partnership with the Kiribati National Olympic Committee (KNOC), began a three-day pilot of its Foundational Safeguarding Course today at the YCL Boardroom in Antebuka, South Tarawa. The course runs from 23 to 25 September 2026.

KNOC had asked to be considered as host, and OSEP welcomed the opportunity to deliver the pilot in partnership with the committee. The community-level course brings together 13 participants, including representatives of Kiribati sport federations, KNOC, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Education.

KNOC Secretary General Rota Onorio said he was excited and pleased that KNOC had the opportunity to host the pilot and looked forward to the three days of training.

Participants will explore how to recognise abuse, neglect and harmful behaviour; understand roles and appropriate boundaries; and respond to and report safeguarding concerns. Practical activities will help them consider referral pathways and safe action within their own organisations and communities.

Opening the course, ONOC’s Acting Chief Sport Education Programme Officer, Meli Cavu, said a safe environment is essential if sport is to fulfil its promise as a force for good.

“Safeguarding should not be seen as something separate from coaching, administration or leadership. It is an essential part of good coaching, good administration and good leadership.”

Cavu emphasised that safeguarding is a shared responsibility that depends on strong relationships between sport organisations, government agencies, the Police, referral services and communities. He encouraged participants to approach sensitive discussions with respect, care and confidentiality.

The pilot supports Priority Area 4: Safe and Fair Sport in the ONOC Strategic Plan 2025–2028. The course was developed and validated in 2025 with contributions from the Fiji Paralympic Committee, ONOC’s regional partners Team Up and Oceania Rugby, practitioners from Oceania Football and National Rugby League Ltd, and several graduates from the region of the IOC Safeguarding Officer in Sport Certificate distance learning programme.

The training is led by OSEP Regional Master Educator Tihrani Uluinakauvadra, with facilitation support from Onorio. OSEP Mentor Nynette Sass is serving as pilot validator, while KNOC-OSEP Educators Marebu Flood and Bwere Tione are assisting with course coordination.

As this is a pilot, participants will also help OSEP test and strengthen the course content, activities, assessment tools and delivery approach. Their experiences and feedback will inform refinements ahead of a wider regional rollout beginning in the first quarter of 2027.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Media contact: Rota Onorio, Secretary General, Kiribati National Olympic Committee — rkonorio@gmail.com