XL, l'house organ di OPES anno 1, n°7, numero doppio agosto | settembre 2019 | Page 33

issues. As ENGSO members, sports organisations are
able to expand their international contacts and have the
possibility to shape the European sports policy agenda
through our democratic structures such as the General
Assembly and the Executive Committee. We offer
opportunities for senior leaders as well as rising talents to
enhance their networks and boost their international skills
and knowledge base as e.g. ExCom members, ENGSO
Equality Within Sport (EWS) members, Young Delegates
and Youth Committee members, and EU Advisory
Committee members. ENGSO members are on the cutting
edge of developing grassroots sport, which can be a great
asset for raising their organisational profile internationally
and nationally, as well as boosting the development and
modernisation of sport in their country».
Your mandate as president started just now, what is
the strategy and the goals you would like to achieve?
«We have just recently adopted our new strategy for
2020–2023, which is also the roadmap for my 4-year term
as ENGSO President. Aside of further strengthening our
role as advocate for grassroots sport and developing our
own organisation, we will be putting more emphasis on
the societal role of sport in the coming years. I want to
see ENGSO as a catalyst for positive change, transforming
the sports movement from within. Our new strategy also
presents our values that will be mainstreamed throughout
our activities: democracy, equality, inclusion, sustainability,
integrity and education».
How do you see the sports sector in Europe in 5 years?
How ENGSO will prepare for that scenario and what is
your suggestions for sports organizations?

«I think for us it’s more crucial than ever to try to create
a better future, rather than just predict what will happen
and try to adapt. For example, the climate crisis, loss of
biodiversity and pollution are topics that sport cannot
avoid, and we must play our part in finding solutions.
We will be challenged - and hopefully financed - by our
governments and the EU to do more, but we should also
lead the way by doing more ourselves to make our events,
facilities and activities as green as possible. ENGSO is
involved in the Play Green project, which aims to create
volunteering opportunities for young people focused on
sport and the environment. In order to resolve the climate
crisis, we as Europeans need to stand united. Through its
unique power to bring people together in spite of their
differences and empower individuals and communities,
sport can combat discrimination and racism, and thus help
create cohesive communities. Sport can also educate us
XXL / Agosto - Settembre 2019
and offer us values, such as respect and fair play, that help us
work together for common goals. Every sport organisation
should stop and think for a while: are we inviting
everyone to join? Can we do more for the surrounding
community? With the results of our ASPIRE project we
are helping sports clubs become more inclusive. Match-
fixing is perhaps the most threatening issue for sport
itself, because when competitions are manipulated,
sport loses its meaning. Grassroots sport is not immune
to this phenomenon, and that’s why we’re are supporting
initiatives through our partnerships with e.g. the Council
of Europe and the EOC EU Office. ENGSO has also
been taking part in the European Commission Expert
Group on Integrity as observer organisation. The entry
into force of the so-called  Macolin Convention  on 1
September 2019 is a huge step forward in this matter,
and its implementation will also impose several measures
for organised sport, from monitoring and reporting
manipulation to educating young athletes. We are
encouraging all sports organisations to take a proactive
stand towards collaboration nationally».
The line drawn is clear. An experienced and highly
professional figure such as the new president Stefan Bergh
will effectively represent the European sporting world at
all institutional tables and will contribute to making sport
a lever for changing the lifestyles of people, communities
and civil society. OPES, congratulating Stefan Bergh for
the election and for the prestigious role he will hold for
the next 4 years, wishes the ENGSO president good work
and, with passion and energy, will support his initiatives
and those of the team that will support him.
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