The second session of the MESGO, focusing on sports organisations and its functioning, took place from the 15th to the 19th of November in Switzerland, in the headquarters of various prestigious international organisations.
The subject matter during this week-long module included governance and accountability of sports organisations, strategic planning in such bodies and stakeholder representation in sports organisations. Daily gatherings occurred at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Stade de Genève, all located in Geneva. Furthermore, the participants attended the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne and the Union des Associations Européennes de Footbal (UEFA) in Nyon, with various illustrations on these structures.
Among the speakers were UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, who explained the political and administrative organisation of UEFA, FIBA general secretary Patrick Bauman and FEI CEO Alex McLin who joined a round-table discussion on governance and accountability of sports organisations. In addition, the IOC Chief of the President’s Executive Office Christophe De Kepper debated on the political and administrative organisation of the IOC and FIA president Jean Todt along FIA secretary general Pierre de Coninck, on the organisation of motor racing sport.
The twenty MESGO participants also had the opportunity to entertain themselves with a football game played (and won!) against UEFA staff. Furthermore, they attended the Switzerland friendly football game against Ukraine.
The next session will take place in London early January on the governance and regulations issues.