NEWS RELEASE (#2026-07)
IDBF joins global movement to prevent child trafficking in sport
Every child who dreams of a sporting future deserves to feel safe. At the IF SportAccord Forum in Lausanne, Claudio Schermi, President of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), signed the United Declaration on the Elimination of Child Trafficking in, Through and Around Sport, reaffirming IDBF’s commitment to helping protect children from trafficking, exploitation and abuse in sport.
For a child, sport can mean the joy of belonging, the confidence to try again and the excitement of discovering what they can do. When that trust is exploited, far more than a sporting opportunity is at stake. Children’s safety and dignity must come first.
The signing forms part of #TheLineWeDontCross, a global campaign coordinated by Mission 89 in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and United Through Sports. By joining fellow signatories, the IDBF affirms that protecting children is a shared responsibility across the sporting community, calling for greater awareness and safeguarding in everyday practice.
The Declaration was advanced significantly at the IF Forum in Lausanne in October 2026, where nearly 50 organisations formally signed, including leading international federations and national Olympic committees. The milestone was made possible in part through the leadership of Stephan Fox, President of AIMS, who mobilised the international sport movement around the Declaration on the occasion of the SportAccord Forum.
“Dragon boating is built on trust. Every paddler depends on the crew around them. Children who join our sport must be able to place that same trust in every coach, official and organisation they meet. By signing the Declaration, the IDBF is making a public commitment to protect children from trafficking and exploitation, and to keep that commitment through how we run our events and support our Member Federations,” said Claudio Schermi, IDBF President.
The IDBF has taken concrete steps to protect children and young athletes within its own structures.
The IDBF Safeguarding Policy, based on the IOC Safeguarding Guidelines, commits the Federation to protecting children and vulnerable adults from harassment and abuse across all IDBF activities, and binds Member Federations, staff and volunteers to its principles. Every IDBF event has a safeguarding plan and reporting procedure, led by a Safeguarding Officer at IDBF Championships. Any concern involving a person under 18 must be reported, and suspected criminal matters are referred to the police and relevant authorities. For safeguarding enquiries, please contact Peter Tang, IDBF General Secretary, at general-secretary@dragonboat.sport.
The IDBF invites its staff, members and wider community to share the Declaration and reflect on what protecting children means in their own work. A signature is a beginning. The commitment must continue in everyday decisions, conversations and care.
Child trafficking has no place in sport. This is the line we don’t cross.
More information: https://www.mission89.org/campaigns/
About the IDBF
The International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) is the global governing body for dragon boat racing. Founded in 1991 in Hong Kong, it oversees and promotes the sport of dragon boat paddling across the world. With a mission to foster unity, friendship, and fair competition, the IDBF organises multiple international world championships, sets rules and standards for dragon boat racing and equipment, and has a membership base of over 80 national federations.