Continued support for Play the Game 2015
New organisations have announced their support for Play the Game 2015, taking place in Aarhus, Denmark on 25-29 October. The economic contributions for the conference, mainly from Danish sponsors, have now reached more than €70,000.
Putting together a large international conference with more than 100 speakers from all around the world and with an expected 350-400 participants takes a lot of work and a considerable economy.
It is therefore with great pleasure that Play the Game has received the news of support from a wide range of, especially Danish, organisations within sports and journalism. With their support they contribute to setting up important sports political debates during Play the Game 2015 and underline their wish for playing an active role in developing and improving conditions in international sport.
”It is encouraging to see a wide range of Danish sports institutions and organisations sending such a strong signal of wanting to strengthen the democratic debate in international sport by critically focusing on the many challenges in world sport,” says Henrik H. Brandt, director of Play the Game and the Danish Institute for Sports Studies.
”The support is characterised by being given with confidence that Play the Game will set a relevant agenda on an independent foundation. While we are in dialogue with many of the donors to ensure a high level of professional quality, the independence of the conference is closely related to its credibility.”
Earlier this year, Play the Game could announce the strong support from Danish sports organisations. The Danish NOC (DIF), Danish FA (DBU), Team Denmark, Sport Event Denmark, Danish Company Sport and Anti Doping Danmark have all contributed to the conference.
Latest, the Danish Foundation for Culture and Sports Facilities has announced their support of 100,000 DKR (€13,333).
Local support for Play the Game 2015
For the second time in a row, Play the Game will host its conference in Aarhus and this year as well as in 2013, the city shows its support . Aarhus has been chosen as European Capital of Culture in 2017 and hosting an international conference like Play the Game 2015 forms part of the city’s preparations.
The challenges in international sports are in line with the city’s slogan for the capital of culture, “re-think”, says Brandt.
”It is not just the much discussed threats from more or less criminal forces that need reforms from FIFA and other sports federations. It is also the federations’ increasingly unsteady grasp on the daily sport practice and here we are in need of both local and global perspectives on how to create better conditions for the ordinary citizens’ sports participation,” he says.
The municipality of Aarhus supports the conference with 75,000 DKR (€10,000) and has furthermore invited the conference to place the Opening session in the big hall of the City Hall, designed by world famous architect Arne Jacobsen. The Opening session will be open to the public.
Journalistic support
The Danish Union of Journalists and the Norwegian Union of Journalists have donated 25,000 DKR (€3,333) and 22,000 NOK (€2,361) respectively. This money has been distributed as travel and conference grants for journalists and other researchers who come from less privileged countries or situations and for whom the journey and stay in Denmark would not be possible without economic support.
The conference will see journalists, representing many different nationalities who, each in their own way, have taken part in the uncovering of problems in world sport. Several among them will share their stories and experiences in investigative work with conference delegates. The conference will further feature special workshops about investigative journalism in sport.
”Continents like Africa and Latin America play a significant role in global sports policy. Therefore it is crucial that journalists from those parts of the world are prepared to cover the international sports debate,” says Henrik H. Brandt noticing that Play the Game’s starting point was to develop sports journalism.
Early bird discount
September 1 is the last day to benefit from the early bird discount, which will save you €200 on the delegate fee, giving you four days of full conference participation, meals and social arrangements for only €550.