Monthly Summary – April 2025
April was a dynamic month for the Institute for Sport Governance, filled with inspiring events and diverse activities. We continued our ongoing projects, engaged in educational initiatives, and participated in several conferences. As always, we encourage you to explore our monthly summary, showcasing our commitment and key activities.
1. Participation in the EU Sport Forum 2025 in Krakow
On April 10-11, the EU Sport Forum 2025, the most significant event for sports policy in the European Union, took place in Krakow. Our President, PhD Grzegorz Botwina, represented the Institute at this event.
The forum brought together over 400 participants from across Europe. Numerous panel discussions covered topics like education, artificial intelligence, and athlete well-being. The presence of representatives from the IOC, UEFA, the European Commission, and various sports institutions created a unique space for debate on the future of European sport. For more insights into these discussions, visit our President PhD Grzegorz Botwina’s LinkedIn profile, where he shares his reflections from the event.
2. Honorary Patronage of the Cracovian Congress on Sports Law and Sociology of Sport
From April 10-11, the first Cracovian Congress on Sports Law and Sociology of Sport took place, under the honorary patronage of our foundation. Our representative, Rafał Kaszubski, actively participated in panels and discussions on the social responsibility of sports clubs.
The congress gathered academics, students, sports law practitioners, judges, legal specialists, sports activists, and sociologists, focusing on topics like the social identity of fans and organizational structures. The combination of legal and sociological perspectives highlighted the complex challenges facing modern sport. Our participation in such an event reaffirms our commitment to building dialogue between academia, sports organizations, and society.
3. Patronage of the National Scientific Conference in Torun
On April 9, the National Student and Doctoral Scientific Conference “Criminal Law in Sport – Contemporary Challenges” took place at the Faculty of Law and Administration at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, another initiative proudly supported by our foundation.
Rafał Kaszubski represented our foundation, delivering a lecture on the boundaries between criminal and disciplinary law in sports. The conference featured 17 speakers who addressed topics such as doping, corruption, stadium violence, and the legal protection of referees. The high academic quality of the event highlighted the growing importance of professionalizing the legal framework surrounding sports.
4. SOPROS Project Conference in Zagreb
On April 25, our representative PhD Paweł Zembura participated in the international conference “Athletes’ Social Protection in Europe: From National Practice to European Coordination” in Zagreb. The conference, part of the SOPROS project, addressed the complexities of social protection systems for athletes and the need for reform.
The SOPROS project, co-funded by the European Commission, aims to develop practical tools and recommendations to improve social protections for athletes. We encourage all athletes and federations in Poland to participate in the ongoing survey assessing the current level of social support – join us in shaping a better future for sports!
5. New Article in Physical Culture and Sport Journal – Dr. Botwina and Dr. Hong on the Impact of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Postponement
In April, our President PhD Grzegorz Botwina and PhD Hee Jung Hong published an article in the prestigious journal Physical Culture and Sport. Studies and Research. The publication, based on direct interviews with athletes, explores the impact of the IOC’s decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on athletes’ lives and preparations.
The analysis not only highlights the personal strategies athletes used to cope with the crisis but also reveals differences in support levels offered by sports organizations in Poland, Portugal, and South Korea. It underscores the need for robust psychological support structures, empathetic communication, and systemic solutions to ensure athlete well-being during extraordinary situations. For more, we invite you to read the full article.
6. European Clean Sport Week
In collaboration with the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA), ISG actively participated in the European Clean Sport Week 2025 campaign. Educational, media, and social initiatives aimed to promote fair play and the values of clean sport. One particularly successful initiative was the “Running with Pure Joy” campaign, which combined athletic competition with charitable action.
Thank You for Your Support!
We extend our gratitude to all our partners, collaborators, and participants for their commitment and joint efforts. We step into the new month with even greater determination to support reforms, educate, and foster a transparent, responsible sporting environment. Stay up to date with our activities by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter!
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Foundation Institute for Sport Governance
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