Sofia, Bulgaria – March 6th and 7th, 2024 – In a
significant step towards combating manipulation and criminality in sports and
esports, Bulgaria hosted the 5th Awareness Raising Practical Session
under Integrisport 3.0 frame. Co-organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports
of Bulgaria and CSCF Sport Integrity Group, the event focused on bolstering
capabilities across law enforcement, judiciary, sports organizations, and
ministries to protect sports integrity across Bulgaria.
About the Integrisport
Project
Integrisport 3.0 is a project established to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries to tackle sport manipulation and crimes in sports in the six program countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain, co-financed by the European Union.
About the event
The Awareness Raising Practical Sessions was inaugurated by Professor Daniela
Dasheva, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, and Mr. Hristo Stefanov, Deputy
Minister of Interior, highlighting the government's commitment to eradicating
corruption in sports and providing a crucial support for propelling the project
forward. They expressed the importance of educating law enforcement officials
and warmly embraced Integrisport 3.0 project, which is dedicated to addressing
this critical issue.
The event has witnessed an unprecedented level of participation from a diverse group of stakeholders, drawing 110 attendees that included over 70 individuals from different departments of the National Police and the Prosecution Office. Noteworthy among these were representatives from various sports federations—such as the National Football Federation, the National Basketball Federation, the National Tennis Federation, the Bulgarian Esport Federation, and the Bulgarian Olympic Committee —as well as members from relevant ministries and regulatory authorities. High-level representatives and operational staff from these entities have convened to deliberate on strategies for maintaining the integrity of sports and esports, addressing the multifaceted challenges these fields face.
The CSCF content experts, along with those from our project partners Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria, ULIS, Play Fair Code, and our supporting partner FIFPRO, have provided invaluable insights during the event sessions. Their expertise, combined with the contributions of the Maltese Police Force and international bodies such as Europol and Interpol, has enhanced the collaborative efforts to effectively address the complexities of combating crime in both sports and esports.
The event was attended by students
from the Bulgarian Police Academy. These active students not only contributed
to the discussions but, by learning about the topics the event offered, ensured
the sustainability of the knowledge of the future Bulgarian Police gained in
the topic.
After the conference, a side event took place within the framework of the Integrisport 3.0 project, where members of the Bulgarian National Platform and CSCF met to discuss the possible reactivation of the national platform and further building its foundations. The participating members, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Police, the National Revenue Office, and the Prosecution Service, reported positively on the next steps for activating the platform.
“To the young sports hopefuls and esteemed educators from the National Academy of Sciences, I emphasize a fundamental truth: while results undoubtedly hold significance in the realm of sports, let us not forget that true victory is forged through the crucible of relentless dedication and unwavering effort. Success is not merely an outcome but a journey, where hard work becomes the steadfast companion on the path to greatness." - Prof. Dasheva, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria.
Hristo Stefanov, Deputy Minister of Interior noted that "We accept sports as a challenge, spirit and strength, as an alternative for our children to have a cleaner and better environment in which to build themselves. But the coin has two sides, and sometimes sport, as a fair game, faces the temptation to manipulate the results. Then, in the style of sports terminology, the game is transferred to the field of law enforcement authorities, who are required to find the truth, so that the main idea of fair play can be fulfilled,"
Norbert Rubicsek, CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity ‘s Director, shared his insights, stating, “Within the context of the Integrisport 3.0 project, our aim extends beyond mere acknowledgment of these issues; it is about fostering a comprehensive understanding and actionable strategies. By convening representatives from various sectors, including law enforcement agencies, judiciaries, ministries, sports federations, and other essential stakeholders, we create a forum for robust dialogue and knowledge exchange. Through these exchanges, we illuminate the multifaceted nature of sports manipulation and crime in sports and underscore the urgent need for coordinated action. The active involvement of ministers and stakeholders is pivotal in amplifying awareness on crime in sports, sports manipulation, and other integrity threats. Together, we are driving crucial conversations and collaborative actions to safeguard the purity of sports and esports."
This conference served as a crucial platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning in the battle against corruption and manipulation within the realm of sports and esports. By bringing together experts and stakeholders from various sectors, CSCF and Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria are setting a new standard for collaborative efforts in safeguarding the integrity of sports.
About CSCF
CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, the driving strength behind this unique initiative, has consistently championed the cause of sports integrity. CSCF boasts its strength in facilitating the creation of opportunities in sports, for effective and innovative programs and partnerships. CSCF partners with organizations around the world to provide complex and high-quality education and training to sport organizations, and law enforcement, judiciaries, ministries, and other such transnational organizations on multiple integrity issues, as well as on effective investigations, whistle blowing systems etc. Our commitment to this noble effort acknowledges the importance of collective action to effectively combat manipulation within the world of sports around the world.
About Ministry
of Youth and Sport of Bulgaria
The Ministry of Youth and Sports implements the unified state policy in the field of youth, sports and social tourism. Since its establishment, the ministry has played a fundamental role in the growth and promotion of sports in Bulgaria, as well as in creating opportunities for youth in various areas of society. The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria has made numerous significant contributions to the development of the sports industry in the country. This includes implementing programs and policies aimed at improving sports infrastructure, supporting talented athletes, and promoting sports participation across all age groups and demographics.
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Disclaimer: The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
