Participants at the training event
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned young Ghanaian athletes to be mindful of growing trends of human traffickers using overseas travel and opportunities in sports to lure victims.
Speaking during a media training on communication strategy developed to combat human trafficking in sports, the communication consultant for IOM, Maaweh Tanga said traffickers often exploit the dreams and aspirations of young athletes by promising them opportunities to play for international clubs and secure better futures abroad.
He explained that growing desire among young people to become professional athletes, coupled with limited awareness of the risks involved in overseas recruitment, create an opportunity for traffickers to prey on unsuspecting victims.
He noted that many victims are introduced to fraudulent opportunities through people they already know and trust, including coaches, scouts and other influential individuals in the sporting community.
Mr. Tanga indicated that the traffickers often display an attractive lifestyle , promising young athletes opportunities to play for international clubs, whiles the victims are subsequently asked to pay fees for documentation, flight arrangements and registration, usually on secrecy.
He cautioned athletes against relying on photographs and videos as proof of legitimate sporting connections, particularly with the increasing use of artificial intelligence to generate convincing images of individuals posing with famous footballers and other sports personalities.
He further urged media practitioners to exercise due diligence before promoting overseas sporting opportunities, warning that their credibility and influence could unknowingly help traffickers attract victims.
He encouraged journalists to investigate recruitment advertisements, verify the legitimacy of sports academies and agents, and ask critical questions before publishing information about opportunities for young athletes.
Mr. Tanga also called on media practitioners and other stakeholders to use their platforms to promote awareness, challenge misleading narratives about overseas sporting careers and ensure that young athletes can pursue their dreams without falling victim to human trafficking.
BY Florence Adom Asamoah