Speakers

Play the Game conferences always present a long line of expert speakers from various areas of world sport. On this page you will find a list of speakers for Play the Game 2017.

Speakers who have confirmed their invitation and/or have had their abstract accepted and session chairpersons at Play the Game 2017 (in alphabetical order):

• Akaash Maharaj, CEO, Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), Canada
• Alberto Carrio Sampedro, Lecturer in Law and legal theory, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain
• Alessandro Moretti, Statistical Officer, University of Greenwich, UK
• Alessandro Oliverio, Attorney at law, isportlaw, Italy/Switzerland
• Aleksandra Goldys, Lecturer, University of Warsaw, Poland
• Alex Duff, Journalist, freelance, the Netherlands
• Alex Lim, Secretary General, International eSports Federation (IeSF), Korea
• Alison Burchell, Permanent Secretary Youth & Sports, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Fiji
• Ana Arias Castaño, Professor, University of Applied and Environmental Sciences U.D.C.A., Colombia
• Andrea Petroczi, Professor, Kingston University, UK
• Andreas Selliaas, Journalist, Academic Researcher, Norway
• Andrew Spalding, Professor of Law, School of Law, University of Richmond, USA
• Andy Brown, Editor, The Sports Integrity Initiative, UK
• Anna Baumann, esports lawyer, UK/Germany
• Annet Tiessen-Raaphorst, Researcher, Netherlands Institute for Social Research, the Netherlands
• Antoine Duval, Senior researcher, Asser International Sports Law Centre, T.M.C. Asser Institute, the Netherlands
• Arjo Klamer, Professor of cultural economics, Erasmus University, the Netherlands
• Arno Hermans, Founder, Sport eXperience, the Netherlands
• Arnoud Strijbis, CEO, Dutch Archery Association, the Netherlands
• Arnout Geeraert, Post-doctoral fellow, KU Leuven/Play the Game, Belgium
• Benjamin Bendrich, Scientist / Blogger, Social Studies, Sports Science, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany
• Benjamin Cohen, Director, European Regional Office and International Federations Relations, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Switzerland
• Berit Skirstad, Associate professor, Department of Cultural and Social Studies, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Norway
• Bettina Rulofs, Senior lecturer, Institute of Sociology & Gender Studies, German Sport University, Germany
• Bob Munro, Chairman, Mathare United, Kenya
• B. David Ridpath, Associate Professor and The Kahandas Nandola Professor of Sports Business, Ohio University, Ohio University, USA
• Brendan Schwab, Executive Director, World Players Association, UNI Global Union, Switzerland
• Caroline Baxter Tresise, UNESCO's Bangkok office, Thailand
• Charlie Raeburn, Founder, Observatory for Sport in Scotand, Scotland
• Chiel Warners, Member of athletes committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, the Netherlands
• Christian Müller, Academic Dean of Sport management, Business Academy Fresenius, Germany
• Christian G. Nielsen, Analyst, Danish Institute for Sport Studies, Denmark
• Christina Weber, PhD, freelance, pharmacist, anti-doping scientist, the Netherlands and Switzerland
• Christopher Gaffney, Independent Scholar, USA
• Sir Craig Reedie, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), UK
• Daniel Westmattelmann, Research Assistant, Center for Management, University of Münster, Germany
• David Howman, Chairman, IAAF Athletics Integrity Unit, former Director General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), New Zealand
• Declan Hill, PhD, author, freelance, Canada
• Denis Mowbray, Director, Gryphon Management Consultants, New Zealand
• Dennis Dreiskämper, Senior lecturer, University of Münster, Germany
• Dennis Pauschinger, post-doc/scientific collaborator at the Chair of Political Geography, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
• Dmitriy Bondarev, Associate professor, Immanuel Kant Baltic University, Russia
• Dolf Segaar, Lawyer and partner, CMS Netherlands, the Netherlands
• Eloy Viera Cañive, Lawyer and blogger, El Toque and Play Off magazine, Cuba
• Els De Waegeneer, Post-doctoral Researcher, Ghent University, Belgium
• Els Dom, Coordinator, Platform for FCMACS in Flanders, Belgium
• Elvira Baze, Head of Drafting and Feasibility Projects in Sport, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, Albania
• Emanuel Mello Mattos, Doctorate candidate, Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
• Ezequiel Fernández Moores, Journalist, La Nación, Argentina
• Fabiana Schneider, Federal Prosecutor, Federal Prosecution Service (MPF), Brazil
• Farid Gamei, Manager, Dutch Combat Sports Authority, the Netherlands
• Federico Addiechi, Head of FIFA Sustainability & Diversity, FIFA, Switzerland
• Florian Petrică, Lector univ. dr., Faculty of Journalism and Communication Studies, University of Bucharest, Romania
• Florian Skrabal, CEO, investigative journalist platform 'dossier.at', Austria
• Francesco Ricci Bitti, President, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), Italy
• Frank van Eekeren, PhD, Senior Consultant, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
• Geert Slot, Information officer/Spokesman, NOC*NSF, the Netherlands
• Geoff Schoenberg, Research Fellow, Centre for Sport Research, Australia
• George Nikolaidis, Psychiatrist and Scientific Director, Department of Mental Health and Social Welfare, Greece
• George Paterson, Policy Officer, European Commission Sport Unit, Belgium
• Gerhard Treutlein, Professor emeritus, Center for doping prevention, Germany
• Gijsbert Oonk, Associate Professor of Global History, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
• Grzegorz Lagowski, Board member of university registered student organisation for sport management "Get Ready", Poland
• Grit Hartmann, Freelance journalist, Germany
• Hajo Seppelt, Head of producing EyeOpening.Media, ARD/WRD, Germany
• Hans Nelen, Professor of Criminologie, Criminal Law and Criminology, the Netherlands
• Hans-Joachim Eckert, Partner/Lawyer, Sports Governance Unit (Zürich), former chair of the adjucidatory body of FIFA’s ethics committee, Germany
• Harmen Bijsterbosch, Director, InnoSportLab Sport & Beweeg!, the Netherlands
• Harry Arne Solberg, Professor, NTNU Business School, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
• Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar
• Henrik H. Brandt, Director, Danish Institute for Sports Studies/Play the Game
• Ian Mengel, member, PLAY!YA, Germany
• Ian Smith, Integrity Commissioner, Esports Integrity Coalition, UK
• Igor Kováč, Head of Education Department, National Sport Center, Slovakia
• Inge Claringbould, Associate Professor, Utrecht University School of Governance, Netherlands
• Iva Glibo, International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, Germany
• Ivi Odrats-Triin, Secretary to the Committee on Culture etc., Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), France
• Ivo van Hilvoorde, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterda and Lecturer at the School of Human Movement & Sport, Windesheim, Zwolle, The Netherlands
• Jacco van Sterkenburg, Assistant professor, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
• Jakob Færch, President/Development consultant, Danish Surf and Rafting Federation/The Danish Foundation for Sports and Culture Facilities, Denmark
• James Corbett, Journalist, freelance, UK
• James M. Dorsey, Academic, journalist, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies / Institute of Fan Culture / The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer, Singapore/ Germany/Morocco
• James Fairbank, Head of Brand, Rapha Racing Ltd., UK
• Jane Purdon, Head of Governance and Leadership, UK Sport, UK
• Jean-Yves Lourgouilloux, Prosecutor, Parquet National Financier (PNF), France
• Jens Sejer Andersen, International director, Play the Game, Denmark
• Jens Weinreich, Journalist and blogger, www.jensweinreich.de, Germany
• Jeppe Laursen Brock, Journalist, Politiken daily, Denmark
• Jeremi Duru, Professor of Sports Law, American University in Washington, United States
• Jesper Frigast Larsen, Legal Manager, Anti-Doping Danmark, Denmark
• Jikkemien Verthongen, Assistant professor, Vrije Universiteit Bruxelles, Belgium
• Joe Harris, Co-editor, The Outer Line, USA
• Johann Skocek, Freelance journalist, Austria
• Jose Luis Pérez Triviño, Professor, Law, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Spain
• Joseph de Pencier, CEO, Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO), Germany
• Judit Farkas, Quality Assurance and Accreditation Officer, University of Physical Education, Hungary
• Jules Boykoff, Professor & Department Chair, Pacific University Oregon, US
• Juliana Barbassa, Managing Editor, Americas Quarterly, US
• Jürgen Mittag, Professor, Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies, German Sport University, Germany
• Karen M. Leach, Psychotherapist, counsellor, Independent, Ireland
• Karen Perry, Law Student, Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law, Canada
• Kirsten Sparre, Assistant professor, Danish School of Media and Journalism & Aarhus University, Denmark
• Kole Gjeloshaj, Scientific collaborator, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
• Kristen Worley, Cyclist, Educator & Diversity Development Adviser, Human Diversity in Sport Foundation, Canada
• Lars Andersson, Journalist and editor, Tekstwerk, Sport Executive, Denmark
• Lars Houbak, IT consultant, IT department - consultants unit, DGI - national Danish Sport for all Organisation, Denmark
• Lars Mortsiefer, Member of the Executive Board, Chief Legal Officer, National Anti Doping Agency, Germany
• Laura Robinson, Journalist, Human race, Canada
• Louis Moustakas, Project manager, streetfootballworld, Germany
• Louise Bezerra, Executive director, Atletas pelo Brasil, Brazil
• Luca Mallia, Assistant professor, University of Rome Foro Italico, Italy
• Lúcio Castro, Journalist, www.agenciasportlight.com.br, Brazil
• Luis Felipe Barros, Director, Sou do Esporte, Brazil
• Luiz Haas, Researcher, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil
• Madison Steenson, Law Student, Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law, Canada
• Mads A. Wickstrøm, political science student/student worker, Play the Game, Denmark
• Marc Taylor, Senior lecturer, Academy of Sport and Physical Activity (Sheffield), School of Law and Politics (Cardiff), Sheffield Hallam University and Cardiff University, UK
• Marc van der Zande, Senior Project Manager, Sports and Technology Foundation, the Netherlands
• Marc Wonneberger, Head of Section 'Fight Against Doping', Federal Institute for Sport Science, Germany
• Marcel Scharf, PhD student, German Sports University Cologne, Germany
• Marianne Dortants, Assistant professor, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
• Marieke van Bakel, Projectcoordinator, Sport Toekomstverkenning (Sport Foresight), the Netherlands
• Marius Sprenger, Student assistant, University of Münster, Germany
• Marjan Olfers, Professor of sports law, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Marko Begović, PhD student, German Sport University, Serbia and Montenegro
• Markus Seyfried, Research fellow, German Politics and Government, University of Potsdam, Germany
• Marlos Coenen, Former MMA athlete, Gym owner, Dutch Combat Sports Authority, the Netherlands
• Matthias Fett, Research associate, Chair of Constitutional Economics, Helmut-Schmidt-University, Hamburg, Germany
• Matthias Kamber, Director, Antidoping Switzerland, Switzerland
• Maximillian Seltman, Research assistant, Institute of European Sport Development ans Studies, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
• Michael Carcaise, Executive director, Association of North American Professional Road Cyclists, USA
• Michael Pedersen, Consultant, Change the Game, Spain
• Michael van Praag, President/Executive committee member, Royal Dutch Football Association/UEFA, the Netherlands
• Michal Buchel, CEO, International Sambo Federation (FIAS), Slovakia
• Michele Verroken, Director, Sporting Integrity, UK
• Mike McNamee, Professor of Applied Ethics, Swansea University, UK
• Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives, Human Rights Watch, USA
• Mogens Kirkeby, President, International Sport and Culture Association, Denmark
• Morten Bo Andersen, Managing director, Game Denmark, Denmark
• Murali Krishnan, Journalist/International Broadcaster, Freelance, India
• Nenad Dikic, Professor/President of Doping Control Board, Singidunum University/Antidoping Agency Serbia, Serbia
• Nicola Naber, Finance and data expert, Der Spiegel, Germany
• Niels Nygaard, President, National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark, Denmark
• Nikki Dryden, Attorney & Olympian, Independent, Australia/Canada
• Nikolaos Theodorou, Sports Integrity Project Manager, K.E.A. Fair Play Code Hellas - Sport Integrity Platform, Greece
• Nils Zurawski, Senior Researcher, Institute for Criminological Research, University of Hamburg, Germany
• Oliver Dudfield, Head of Sport for Development and Peace, Commonwealth Secretariat, UK (tbc)
• Olivier de Hon, Manager Scientific Affairs, Anti-Doping Authority Netherlands, the Netherlands
• Osasu Obayiuwana, Freelance journalist, BBC World Football, Nigeria
• Owen Evans, Lecturer in Sport Journalism, University of Brighton, UK
• Paolo Bertaccini, Advisor to the Head of Department, Italian Government Office for Sport, Italy
• Paul Hover, Senior researcher, Mulier Institute, the Netherlands
• Paulina Tomczyk, Policy Officer, EU Athletes, Poland
• Per Ståle Knardal, Associate professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
• Peter Barendse, Researcher, Knowledge Centre for Sport Netherlands, the Netherlands
• Peter Forsberg, Analyst, Danish Institute of Sports Studies, Denmark
• Peter Prowse, Professor in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations, Sheffield Business School Sheffield, UK
• Piara Powar, Director, FARE, UK
• Poul Broberg, Director of sports policy, National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF), Denmark
• Pål Ødegaard, Editor, Josimar football magazine, Norway
• Raí Oliveira, President, Atletas pelo Brasil (Athletes for Brazil), Brazil
• Rasmus K. Storm, Head of Research, Danish Institute for Sports Studies, Denmark
• Raymond Kerckhoffs, Journalist/President, De Telegraaf (NL) and President, Association of International Journalists in Cycling (AIJC), the Netherlands
• Remko Hoekman, Senior analyst, Mulier Unstitute, the Netherlands (tbc)
• René Wijlens, Cluster Manager, Sports and Technology Foundation, the Netherlands
• Richard H. Mclaren, Professor, lawyer, McKenzie Lake Lawyers, Canada
• Richard W. Pound, Member, Doyen, International Olympic Committee, Canada
• Rik de Kinderen, Sports doctor, Medical Commission of the organization for FCMACS in Flandersn, Belgium
• Rik Sanders, Sales & Marketing Manager, Van der Valk Hotel Eindhoven, the Netherlands
• Roger Pielke Jr., Professor, CU Boulder, US
• Ryan Gauthier, Assistant professor, Thompson Rivers University, Canada
• Sada Reed, Assistant professor, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, USA
• Sander Roege, Mental- and performance coach/Consultant, PSV Eindhoven, the Netherlands
• Scott Jedlicka, Assistant professor, Washington State University, USA
• Silke Kassner, Vice-chair of Athletes Germany/ Athletes Commission of the German NOC/ National Anti-Doping Agency Germany, Germany
• Simon Licen, Assistant professor, Sport Management program, Washington State University, USA
• Snežana Samardžić-Marković, Director General of Democracy, Council of Europe, France
• Spencer Harris, Assistant professor, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, US
• Stanislas Frossard, Executive Secretary, EPAS, France
• Stefan Löffler, Journalist, Austria
• Stefano Caneppele, Professor, School of Criminal Justice, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
• Stephen Farrand, European Editor, Italy/UK
• Steve Maxwell, Co-editor, The Outer Line, US
• Steve Menary, freelance journalist, World Soccer magazine and BBC World Football, UK
• Steven Bradbury, Lecturer, Loughborough University, UK
• Steven Vos, ‎Professor at Fontys University of Applied Sciences & Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
• Stine Alvad, Comminications officer, Play the Game, Denmark
• Szabolcs Horváth, Member of cabinet, Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics, Belgium
• Søren Bang, Editor-in-Chief, Play the Game/Danish Institute for Sports Studies, Denmark
• Tariq Panja, Journalist, New York Times, UK
• Thomas Horky, Professor, Sports Communication, Macromedia University of Applied Sciences, Germany
• Till Müller-Schoell, Research associate, German Sport University Cologne, Germany
• Tim Abromeit, Master student, University of Beyreuth, US
• Tine Rindum Teilmann, Board Member, National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF), and member of the IOC Women’s Commission, Denmark
• Tom Flachet, Social worker in sports, Molenbeek, Belgium
• Travis T. Tygart, Chief Executive Officer, United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), US
• Vassilis Barkoukis, Assistant professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
• Victor Beerkens, Co-founder, Sport eXperience, the Netherlands
• Wil van Megen, Legal director, FIFPro, the Netherlands
• Wilbert Seuren, Alderman, City of Eindhoven, the Netherlands
• Willem Feenstra, Journalist, De Volkskrant, the Netherlands
• Wladimir Andreff, Emeritus Professor in Economics, University Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, President of the Observatory of the sports economy, French Ministry of Sports, France