Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is attended after suffering an injury during the Round 6 Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks in 2021. The Safe Sport 2026 conference has marked a turning point in global sports governance, showcasing an urgent commitment to safeguarding athlete welfare.
More than 500 delegates from 87 countries descended upon the University of Cape Town (UCT) from May 25 to 27 for the landmark Safe Sport 2026 conference. This is the first time the event, which champions the global safe sport movement, has been hosted on the African continent. Under the theme “Moving safeguarding from intention to implementation,” the conference aimed to galvanise collective action among researchers, policymakers, athletes, educators, safeguarding practitioners, and sports leaders committed to enhancing athlete welfare worldwide.
Opening the event, UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela underscored the significance of the gathering, noting it as not only an opportunity to learn from international best practices but also as a vital platform for amplifying African perspectives in shaping the future of safe sport. He remarked, “Sport has the power to transform lives and create opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, but only if sporting environments are safe and supportive.”
