Bucharest, Romania - April 12, 2024 - Integrisport 3.0, an innovative project aimed at providing awareness and training to law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, and other stakeholders on all aspects of sports and esports manipulations and crimes in sports, has concluded its series of awareness-raising practical sessions with a remarkable event in Romania.
About the event
In a significant step
towards combating manipulation and criminality in sports, Romania hosted the 6th and
last Awareness Raising Practical Session under Integrisport 3.0 frame.
Co-organized by the Agenția Națională pentru Sport and CSCF Sport Integrity
Group, the event focused on bolstering capabilities across law enforcement,
judiciary, sports organizations, and ministries to protect sports integrity
across Romania.
Among the 100 participants
were representatives from various national and international organizations
involved in sport, such as Prosecutor's Office of the High Court of Cassation
and Justice, the Romanian Football Federation, the Romanian Basketball
Federation, the Research and Crime Prevention Institute of the General
Inspectorate of the Romanian Police, the Association of Amateur and Nonamateur Footballers
(AFAN), National Anti-Doping Agency, Interpol, Europol, FIFPro, ULIS,
PlayFairCode, Malta Police Force and more. The event opened by Elisabeta Lipă,
president of the National Agency for Sport, Romania, Oana Țoiu, president of
the Youth and Sports Committee in the Chamber of Deputies, Mihai Covaliu
president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee and Norbert Rubicsek,
director CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, provided a unique opportunity for
dialogue and collaboration among these diverse stakeholders, fostering a common
understanding and vision for promoting integrity in sport.
"During our sessions in Romania and the
successful conclusion of our awareness series, we've reached a significant
milestone in our commitment to sports integrity," said Norbert Rubicsek,
director at CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity in his conclusion. "The
vivid discussion by Romanian authorities on issues and solutions gives the
impression that significant steps are already underway in Romania's fight
against sports manipulation”.
"We are immensely
proud of the impact achieved through the awareness raising practical session in
Romania. It underscores our steadfast commitment to fostering integrity and
transparency in sports. Additionally, it has provided us with valuable insights
into new directions for supporting stakeholders and the imperative to
strengthen national cooperation in combating manipulation in sport. We extend
our heartfelt appreciation to all involved, especially the coordinator, CSCF Foundation
for Sport Integrity and look forward to continuing our efforts together in
creating a fair and ethical sporting environment." said Elisabeta Lipă, president
of the Agenția Națională pentru Sport.
Key
conclusions
1. Understanding
the complexity of challenges: Participants
gained insight into the diverse challenges associated with sports manipulation
and crimes within the sports realm. Recognizing these complexities enables
stakeholders to develop targeted strategies for effective solutions.
2. Importance
of collaborative solutions: Collaboration with law enforcement and judiciary
representatives in the sports industry fosters solidarity and amplifies the
impact of initiatives. By sharing best practices, stakeholders identify
innovative approaches to integrity issues for more robust solutions.
3. Empowerment
for change: The vivid dialogues among
the participants about possible procedures, necessary cooperation, and actions
to be taken demonstrated dedication and engagement from all the different
stakeholders in combating the phenomenon.
4. Commitment
to sustained action: Stakeholders
pledged to maintain ongoing dialogue and action in promoting sports integrity.
In light of this commitment, they have prepared a joint statement, yet to be
signed, that could serve as the foundation for these future initiatives aimed
at enhancing integrity in sports.
About CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity:
CSCF Foundation for
Sport Integrity, the driving force behind this unique initiative, is a leader
in promoting fairness and ethics in the sporting world. Established to address
integrity challenges such as manipulation, safeguarding issues, and whistleblowing,
our mission is to cultivate a culture of transparency and honesty. We work
closely with a diverse range of partners, including sports organizations, law
enforcement, judiciaries, ministries, and the betting sector, to deliver
outstanding education, advice, and risk management strategies. Our partnerships
extend across these critical sectors to provide comprehensive support and
solutions.
Our global
initiatives underscore the importance of collective efforts in maintaining
sports integrity, ensuring a significant and positive impact on the sports
community. Through advising, training, and policy-making, we tailor solutions
to protect and support individuals across the spectrum, from those facing
specific risks to the wider community, reinforcing sports as a force for good.
CSCF is dedicated to a future where sports worldwide adhere to the highest
ethical standards.
About Agenția Națională pentru Sport:
Agenția Națională pentru Sport is the leading
governmental agency dedicated to promoting and regulating sport activities in
Romania. With a mandate to enhance sport development, ensure fair play, and
safeguard the integrity of sporting competitions, the agency plays a crucial
role in advancing the sport industry's interests. As the country partner for
the Integrisport 3.0 awareness raising practical session in Romania, Agenția
Națională pentru Sport provided invaluable support and expertise, contributing
to the event's success, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Project next steps
With the successful conclusion of the awareness
raising practical session in Romania, Integrisport 3.0 is poised for its next
exciting step: a peer-to-peer webinar for law enforcement and judiciaries that
will further foster collaboration and continuous learning among project
participants. This webinar will provide an additional opportunity to reflect on
the topics discussed during the awareness raising practical session and further
explore best practices to fight against sport manipulation.
Additionally, after the peer-to-peer webinar, the
closing conference of the Integrisport 3.0 project will take place as the next
significant event in the project's timeline. Scheduled for the 7th of November,
this conference will reflect on the achievements and lessons learned during
this journey and discuss future strategies for upholding integrity and fairness
in sports. While the program may be concluding, we will continue our efforts to
uphold integrity in sports and fight against sport manipulation.
For more information about Integrisport 3.0 and its
future activities, please visit the project's official website at
https://foundation.cscfsport.com/integrisport-3-0/
For media inquiries, please contact: Integrisport3.admin@cscfsport.com
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.
