EU Sport Forum
The forum, the latest of which was held over April 8-9 at Bucharest’s JW Marriot Hotel, is organized by the European Commission every year and sees leading executives in sport across Europe gather together to exchange knowledge. Amongst those present from the volleyball world at its latest edition included CEV Vice-President, Renato Arena, and CEV Managing Director, Thorsten Endres.
Miljković attended the forum as the ACPV’s representative following an invitation from the organizers. Presidents from various volleyball federations and Olympic committees also attended the event, alongside Media and TV representatives, and the Mayor of Bucharest.
However, as well as representing the ACPV itself, Miljković was pleased to have the opportunity to represent European volleyball clubs.
“I would like to thank the organizers for inviting myself, and other influential representatives of European volleyball to this forum,” Miljković announced. “It is vital that we not only talk amongst ourselves and peers within sports but also to the highest levels of governance in Europe to ensure the interests of players and clubs are protected”.
With the ACPV able to express its views amongst a range of such influential figures, particularly those from the European Commission, EU and NGO, Miljković equally relished the opportunity to continue developing relations. Indeed, further meetings are already set to take place in Zurich and elsewhere across Europe following the conclusion of the forum.
Various key issues to the ACPV’s agenda were tabled at the forum, including the rights and interests of players and whether they are sufficiently considered by governing bodies in sport and indeed whether the EU itself acts in a sufficient manner to safeguard such rights.
“The role of the federations is extremely important,” Miljković explained after the meeting. “They hold a lot of power and we feel they should be obliged not only to respect the rights of players and clubs but also to act in their best interests. They also must not undermine the role of top clubs and both listen and work closely together with them. At the political level too, perhaps there is more that can be done”.
Another important topic for discussion included the role of federations in promoting European sport, and how law and justice within the parameters of sport can be implemented.
“The federations have a great amount of influence in the outreach of sport and how it can affect people’s lives, and they must also take responsibility in upholding its laws and with it, its integrity,” Miljković continued.
“An important aspect discussed in Bucharest also was how Europeans can engage in sport in the future, and the federations can play a key role in this too.”
Those at the forum were unanimous in the conclusion that good governance is the basis of all success in sport and the EU and European Commission recommends that it be implemented by every sporting federation.
“Change starts at the top. If we do not attempt to oversee sport and lead in the best way then we cannot hope to see the development we want in the sport,” Miljković explained.
The role of stakeholders in sporting matters cannot be understated either, with the forum concluding that they must be both recognized and consulted in any issues involving them, and current sporting rules will need to be modified in accordance with how the sport is developing in the modern world.
It is likely that these issues will also be raised in the meetings to come in the future.
“The stakeholders play an important role, and their voice cannot be ignored,” said Miljković. “Their involvement in all relevant matters is paramount to the good governance we want to see”.
“Equally, it is clear that sport and its rules are changing. Current rules must be reviewed and updated regularly to run parallel to the changes in the game. Otherwise, we can expect an increase in sports cases taken to regular courts which will only be disruptive”.
