Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Initiative endorsed to support community legacy of Southeast Asia Games
The Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative has been officially endorsed as part of the community legacy of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, marking a significant milestone in regional efforts to harness sport as a tool for safer and more resilient communities.
The SEA Games are a biennial multi-sport event featuring athletes from the 11 nations of Southeast Asia, with the 33rd edition having taken place in Thailand in December 2025.
The endorsement was confirmed at the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) Council Meeting, held on the eve of the Games. During the meeting, SEAGF Chief Executive Dato’ Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat presented a joint Support Statement, outlining the Federation’s commitment to the SYCP Initiative. The Initiative – initiated by Agence française de développement (AFD) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is delivered by a consortium co-ordinated by the Alliance of Sport (AoS).
AoS Chief Executive, James Mapstone (pictured above left) presented the SYCP Initiative to Council members, setting out its ambition to strengthen cross-sector approaches to youth crime prevention through sport. The proposal received unanimous approval from the SEAGF Council.
In recognising the role of sport in advancing peace, social inclusion and youth crime prevention, the SEAGF confirmed its support for collaboration between the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) and the AoS in delivering the SYCP Initiative. This endorsement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that the SEA Games leave a lasting community legacy, extending the positive impact of sport well beyond competition and contributing to the long-term development and wellbeing of young people across Southeast Asia.
The Council Meeting Chaired by Assistant Professor Pimol Srivikorn, President of the NOCT, was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, Honorary Life President of the Southeast Asian Games Federation and President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, senior SEAGF executives, and the full SEAGF Council, comprising delegations from each National Olympic Committee across the ASEAN region.
Following the endorsement, AoS will work closely with the NOCT to support implementation during and beyond the 33rd SEA Games. Engagement will also continue with the Olympic Council of Malaysia as preparations begin for the 34th SEA Games in 2027, helping to embed youth crime prevention and community safety as a shared legacy priority across future host nations.