Good Governance Debate Tops EU Sport Forum Agenda

(ATR) European Olympic chief Pat Hickey highlighted the importance of best-practice governance for Olympic Movement stakeholders at the event in the Netherlands.

More than 300 delegates attended the March 9-10 event in The Hague, including representatives from international and European sport federations, NOCs and continental and national sport umbrella organizations.

The key themes at this year’s forum were how to ensure good governance for the world of sport and integration of migrants amid the global refugee crisis.

In his keynote address, the European Olympic Committees president said the dialogue between sport and the EU had been "without doubt fruitful", referencing the Erasmus+ Sport Program, a funding initiative dedicated to grassroots sports and the block exemption regulation in the field of state aid for sport infrastructure.

As the Olympic Movement rolls out implementation of the IOC’s Agenda 2020 reforms, he said the ongoing challenge centered on good governance in sport.

"The European Olympic Committees, with its EU Office in Brussels, has taken up its responsibility already some time ago by implementing projects on good governance," he told delegates.

The IOC Executive Board member pointed to an ongoing project called Support the Implementation of Good Governance in Sport (SIGGS), which aims to provide customized and practical guidance to NOCs and national federations on how to implement various principles.

"This kind of initiative to exchange best practices, to raise awareness on the need for action and to provide sport organisations with the necessary tools is very helpful," he said.

"This project, which is co-financed by the European Union and supported by the International Olympic Committee, is another example of ways in which the supporting role of the EU can make a difference in the field of sport and demonstrates that the Olympic Movement is eager to further progress in this regard," Hickey added.

The EOC chief also took part in a panel discussion on good governance.

Tibor Navracsics, European commissioner for education, culture, youth and sport, also spoke about the issue.

"There are many threats to the integrity of sport. Trafficking, illicit drug use, money laundering, organized crime, corruption, to name but a few. Not all sports are exposed to them, but some sports may be exposed to all of them," he said.

"With good governance structures and principles in place, all sport federations will be better equipped to deal with the risks facing modern sport," he said, citing FIFA as an example.

"With Gianni Infantino, it now has a new president. I wish him the wisdom and strength he will need to start turning things around at the organization – and to bring about the fundamental change that is clearly required here."

Noting that governance issues extended to the world of sport, Navracsics said: "We will need to work together to ensure that all sport organizations implement the principles of good governance, that they are transparent and accountable, for instance. And I am determined to play my part at EU level."

He said good governance was crucial to building trust, especially among sports fans and the general public.

"This is vital if sport is to keep its place at the heart of our society. Better governance is not only a way to wipe out corruption and backroom deals: it is a way to make organisations more efficient and add to their public prestige," he added.

He said the European Commission would continue working with EU member states and sport organizations to help them carry out the reforms.

"Federations who fail to meet the highest ethical standards must face greater scrutiny - and if need be, our full regulatory power."

Navracsics said he will invite sport federations to commit publicly to good governance principles during the second European Week of Sport in September.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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