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 the State University of Youth and Sports in designing educational programs» was held at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University. The event was supported by the Zaporizhzhia Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the Department of Youth, Physical Culture and Sports of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The discussion brought together representatives of the sports and legal community, 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 issue of legal protection of athletes and coaches, as well as the prospects of integrating legal competences into the educational process.
Pro-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Prospects of University Development Ruslan Kulikovskyi addressed those present with a welcoming speech. The event was moderated by Svitlana Kokareva, dean of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports Management.
Participating in the panel discussion was Nataliya Kovalenko, Deputy Executive Director of the NOC of Ukraine and Deputy Chairman of the Sports Arbitration Court at the NOC of Ukraine, Head of the Department of Youth, Physical Culture and Sports of Zaporizhzhia OVA Oleksandr Zlobenets, Head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Branch of the NOC of Ukraine Nataliya Vlasova, Head of the Department of Constitutional, Administrative and Labor Law Ruslana Maksakova, Lawyer of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Branch of the NOC of Ukraine Dmytro Maistro, the bronze medalist of the 2012 Olympic Games Olesya Povkh, as well as the 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 are legal support for the activities of the Youth Sports Academy and sports federations, labor relations in the sports field, contractual practice, anti-doping policy, a safe sports environment and the protection of athletes’ rights.
Special interest was aroused by the speeches of experts who shared real cases from sports practice. It was about drawing up contracts, the responsibility of the organizers of sports events, insurance of athletes, the participation of minors in competitions and the specifics of resolving sports disputes. The speakers emphasized that a modern specialist in the field of sports should possess not only professional knowledge, but also basic legal literacy.
Participants paid special attention to updating the educational programs of the «Physical Culture and Sports» and «Law» specialties. During the discussion, it was discussed the need for an interdisciplinary approach, the introduction of practical cases into the educational process, holding 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.
An open dialogue with students, coaches and representatives of sports institutions became an important part of the event. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions to experts about the protection of athletes’ rights, the work of sports organizations, anti-doping rules and legal support of professional activities in the field of sports.
According to the results of the panel discussion, the parties outlined the prospects for further cooperation. In particular, it is about the development of educational initiatives in the field of sports law, guest lectures, practical meetings with specialized experts, creation of interdisciplinary educational components and strengthening of partnership between the university, sports federations and NOCs of Ukraine.
We work together — we develop together!
