The ‘Harassment has no place in Sport – Report it’ campaign was launched this Thursday by the handball, basketball, football, skating and volleyball federations, and includes an awareness day at matches next weekend.
The promoters of the initiative, released in a statement shared simultaneously on the websites of the flag sports federations on the Internet, warn in a video of “one of the most despicable phenomena in society and that can also manifest itself in sport”.
In the days of the main handball, basketball, futsal, roller hockey and volleyball competitions, which take place this weekend, athletes, coaches, referees and clubs will join this initiative by spreading the message to combat and denounce the harassment.
This initiative also extends to the match of the women’s soccer team against New Zealand, on February 17, as part of the preparation for the intercontinental playoffs for access to the World Cup.
“The Portuguese Handball Federation (FAP) will always be at the forefront in the fight against the various forms of harassment in sport,” said the president of the organization.
For Miguel Laranjeiro, sporting activity must always be “a space for freedom and personal growth”, free from any “form of harassment”, for which reason he calls on everyone to “fight against this practice”, denouncing it.
“Harassment in sport does not enter into any call. Because sport can only be a dignified activity, enjoyed without restrictions, without fear and safely”, considered the president of the Portuguese Basketball Federation (FPB), Manuel Francisco Fernandes.
The president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) also defended that “harassment cannot have a place in sport” and that the body he directs “has adopted policies and procedures aimed at preventing and punishing” this type of practice.
“He did it not only by creating regulations, but also by promoting reporting, including anonymous reporting, cooperation with the competent criminal justice bodies and the education of sports agents,” added Fernando Gomes.
The leader of the Portuguese Skating Federation (FPP) stated that “sport is one of the most relevant social phenomena today” and “for this reason, and because of its communicational strength, it is necessary to insist on educational values”.
“It is time for sport to be at the service of causes and really work for and for the people. This campaign is a positive moment for the sport”, said Luís Sénica.
For the president of the Portuguese Volleyball Federation (FPV) “it is with total determination, commitment and motivation” that this organization joins this campaign of “prevention against sexual harassment in the context of sport”.
“The FPV, aware that this is not a distant reality and that the recognition of the problem must be transversal to all ages and to all sectors of our society, in which sport is inserted, adheres to this initiative, in favor of prevention and fight against this scourge, in an attempt to guarantee a safe environment for all our athletes and sports agents”, said Vicente Araújo.
Source: TSF
