Panel discussion “Sports law: real needs and experience of youth sports schools in designing educational programs”

On May 14, a mixed-format panel discussion “Sports Law: Real Needs and Experience of Youth and Sports Schools in Designing Educational Programs” was held at the Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University. The event was held with the support of the Zaporizhia Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the Department of Youth, Physical Culture and Sports of the Zaporizhia OVA.

The discussion brought together representatives of the sports and legal communities, teachers, students, coaches, athletes, heads of children’s and youth sports schools, and specialists in the field of physical culture and sports. The participants discussed the current challenges of the development of sports law in Ukraine, the issues of legal protection of athletes and coaches, as well as the prospects for integrating legal competencies into the educational process.

The Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Issues of University Development Prospects Ruslan Kulikovsky addressed the attendees with a welcoming speech. The event was moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports Management Svitlana Kokareva.

The panel discussion was attended by Deputy Executive Director of the NOC of Ukraine and Deputy Chairman of the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the NOC of Ukraine Natalia Kovalenko, Head of the Department of Youth, Physical Culture and Sports of the Zaporizhia OVA Oleksandr Zlobenets, Head of the Zaporizhia Regional Branch of the NOC of Ukraine Natalia Vlasova, Head of the Department of Constitutional, Administrative and Labor Law Ruslana Maksakova, Lawyer of the Zaporizhia Regional Branch of the NOC of Ukraine Dmytro Maistro, Bronze medalist of the 2012 Olympic Games Olesya Povkh, as well as Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports Management Vasyl Mazin.

During the discussion, the participants paid attention to the practical aspects of sports law. Among the key topics were legal support for the activities of youth sports schools and sports federations, labor relations in the sports sphere, contractual practice, anti-doping policy, a safe sports environment and protection of athletes’ rights.

The speeches of experts who shared real cases from sports practice aroused particular interest. They discussed the execution of contracts, the responsibility of organizers of sports events, insurance of athletes, the participation of minors in competitions and the peculiarities of resolving sports disputes. The speakers emphasized that a modern specialist in the field of sports must possess not only professional knowledge, but also basic legal literacy.

The participants paid special attention to updating the educational programs of the specialties “Physical Culture and Sports” and “Law”. During the discussion, the need for an interdisciplinary approach, the introduction of practical cases into the educational process, joint classes for law students and future specialists in the sports industry, as well as the involvement of experts from the NOC of Ukraine, federations and sports organizations in educational activities was discussed.

An important part of the event was an open dialogue with students, coaches and representatives of sports institutions. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions to experts regarding the protection of athletes’ rights, the work of sports organizations, anti-doping rules, and legal support for professional activities in the field of sports.

Following the results of the panel discussion, the parties outlined the prospects for further cooperation. In particular, this concerns the development of educational initiatives in the field of sports law, guest lectures, practical meetings with specialized experts, the creation of interdisciplinary educational components, and strengthening partnerships between the university, sports federations, and the NOC of Ukraine.

Working together — developing together!