Fahmida Faiza is known for pioneering safeguarding policies and practices in South Asian Sports through her role as the Head of Safeguarding at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), where she has led safeguarding actions and initiatives across seven countries in Asia. With 16 years of experience in Policy Advocacy and youth work and being a British Barrister, Faiza’s background has helped bring some groundbreaking transformation that has helped to lay a foundation for safeguarding in sports which she currently continues for her organisation, Alliance For Safe Space (AFS). Through AFS, she has established the first-ever multi-lingual, multi-sport platform, “The Safeguarding Hour”, which has gained global recognition and endorsement being the “Practitioners voice in Safe Sport.”

Faiza is a FIFA Safeguarding in Sports Diploma Graduate from the first cohort and holds multiple international sports safeguarding certifications. She has also previously chaired the Safeguarding Working Group of the Commonwealth Youth Network of Sport for Development and Peace (CYSDP). She is currently serving as the Commonwealth Youth Council executive, actively advocating and championing the sport for development and peace agenda.

She has also consulted with the Olympic Council of Asia’s athlete-centred project fund with the Athletes Commission of Bangladesh Olympics Association and delivered safeguarding training to over 200 athletes from 35 different sports disciplines. She also holds certifications from International Anti-Corruption Academy, UNODC and has actively led the first-ever United National Youth Strategy, Youth 2030 global process. An active practitioner and recognised voice in safe sport changes, Faiza brings her wealth of experience in policy, advocacy, investigation, case management and dispute resolution. Born and brought up in Asia, educated in Europe, and currently working in Africa, Faiza brings diverse knowledge, especially in contextual safeguarding and lobbying/negotiation with high-level stakeholders.