Athens,
Greece
– Athens played host to a significant event on October 5th and 6th, 2023, as
the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, along with EPATHLA the
Greek National Platform for Sports, became the focal point for a two-day
symposium addressing the preservation of sports integrity and the fight against
manipulation in sport.
The Awareness Raising Practical Session (ARPS) was part of the IntegriSport 3.0
project and organized by CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity, the coordinator
and content experts of the project. This exceptional gathering brought together
an impressive lineup of 35 influential speakers, uniting experts, visionaries,
and key stakeholders from diverse sectors to tackle the multifaceted challenge
of sport manipulation.
Integrisport 3.0 is a project established to provide theoretical
and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in the six program
countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain, co-financed
by the European Union. The inaugural awareness-raising practical session marked
the commencement of this project and the 14th edition of the successful Integrisport program, reaching
nearly two-thirds of EU countries' law enforcement and judiciaries in
the last 4,5 years.
Among
the notable keynote speakers were Hon’ble Alternate Minister for Sports Mr. Ioannis
Vroutsis, celebrated Member of European Parliament and sports legend Theodoros Zagorakis, Vourliotis Charalambos, Head
of the Independent Authority for Money Laundering, Greece, Alexandra Rogkakou,
Head of the National Transparency Authority and George Mavrotas, Secretary
General of Sport and Chair of the Follow Up Committee of the Macolin Convention.
The event saw participation from a number of distinguished representatives from
law enforcement agencies, eminent judiciary officials, renowned figures from
the world of sports, influential voices from players' unions, leaders from the
betting sector, and pioneers in esports.
The
event was a collaborative effort, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Education,
Religious Affairs and Sports, along with the Greek National Platform for Sport
Integrity (EPATHLA) and co-hosted by CSCF Foundation for Sport
Integrity,
an organization dedicated to fortifying the integrity of sports as the event's
coordinator and content provider. This collaborative spirit extended further
with substantial support from esteemed organizations like ULIS and FIFPRO, along with Interpol, actively
participating in the proceedings.
At
its core, this symposium aimed to provide a blend of theoretical insights and
practical guidance to law enforcement agencies, judiciary bodies, and industry
stakeholders. Together, they delved into the myriad challenges surrounding
sport manipulation and crimes within the world of sports. Another primary
objective was to foster national and international cooperation, recognizing
that this global issue demands a united front.
CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, the driving force
behind this initiative, has long championed the cause of sports integrity.
Their commitment to this noble endeavor recognizes the need for collective
action to effectively combat manipulation within the sports industry.
Hon'ble Minister Vroutsis, emphasized the event's significance, stating, "The battle against sport manipulation is pivotal in preserving the essence of fair competition in sports. We are proud to stand in the frontline with experts and stakeholders to collectively address this issue and ensure equitable opportunities for all athletes."
CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity 's Director, Norbert Rubicsek, shared his insights, stating, "Our dedication to upholding the purity of sports has propelled us to organize this groundbreaking event. We firmly believe that by fostering cooperation among all stakeholders, we can forge a resilient framework to combat sport manipulation and safeguard the values that make sports so special."
The
Athens event marks a transformative stride in the ongoing quest to safeguard
the integrity of sports. With experts and influencers uniting, there is renewed
hope for a future where sports remain a beacon of fair play and honest
competition, inspiring generations to come.
George
Mavrotas the Chair of the Macolin Convention’s ´Follow Up Committee´ and
Secretary General of Sport noted that: “The sport movement alone cannot face
this global threat behind which organized crime is often found. For this
reason, synergies with the law enforcement and other government authorities as
well as with the betting ecosystem are necessary. These are cases that are not
easily proven and for this the effective investigation of such cases needs
inputs from both the sports community and the betting ecosystem and of course
the expertise of the prosecuting authorities at national and international
level with the appropriate collaborations. IntegriSport 3.0 programme aims at
this direction.”
The
Athens event marks a transformative stride in the ongoing quest to safeguard
the integrity of sports. With experts and influencers uniting, there is renewed
hope for a future where sports remain a beacon of fair play and honest
competition, inspiring generations to come.
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