Representatives of Europe’s sport movement and Sport Ministers will pledge to step up their fight against match-fixing when they meet at the EU Sport Forum, organised by the European Commission in Nicosia, on 19-20 September.
They are expected to endorse a `Declaration on the fight against match-fixing’. The Forum, which coincides with an informal meeting of EU Sport Ministers, will also discuss issues such as the contribution of sport to the EU economy, future EU funding for grass-roots sport, and the promotion of physical activity and active ageing.
The Sport Forum will also showcase EU-funded projects implemented during the past two years, aimed at supporting the fight against doping, access to sport for the disabled, gender equality, physical activity, volunteering in sport, the fight against violence and intolerance in sport, social inclusion of immigrants, and the promotion of good governance in sport. Since 2009, the Commission provided more than €12 million in support of such projects in these and other areas.
The EU Sport Forum, which is held annually, is an opportunity for the Commission to inform the sport movement about its current proposals and to listen to their views. It brings together 250 delegates, including leading figures from the international and European Olympic Committees, European federations, sport for all organisations, and organisations of leagues, clubs and athletes. The EU Sport Forum will also discuss good governance in sport through the European social dialogue with employers and athletes.
EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou will also take part in the informal meeting of EU Sport Ministers (20-21 September). Among other things, Ministers will discuss the impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Two joint high-level panels will focus on the contribution of sport and health-enhancing physical activity to Europe’s economy and the fight against match-fixing.
The Ministers will also discuss ways to better promote sport and health in the context of Europe’s ageing society and exchange views on the EU’s representation in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in order to seek consensus on the designation of a governmental expert for the WADA Board.
