Sports Law Seminar: Protecting the Rights of Athletes, Coaches, and Sports Organizations in the Spotlight
The sports industry is not just about training, competitions, and medals. It is a complex system governed by laws, where every participant — be it an athlete, coach, referee, or methodologist — has their own rights and responsibilities. This was the focus of the seminar “Sports Law and Legislation in Sports,” which brought together professionals from all over the country.
Coaches, referees, methodologists, and representatives of youth sports schools (DYuSSh) attended the meeting, all of whom are concerned with legal literacy and the protection of their professional interests. The seminar became a lively dialogue between theory and practice, where every participant received not only answers to relevant questions but also valuable advice from leading experts.
Rights and Responsibilities: Who Is Accountable for What in Sports?
We explored in detail:
• the rights of athletes when signing contracts and participating in competitions;
• how coaches can protect their professional interests, including intellectual property and working conditions;
• what sports organizations must know when entering agreements, licensing, and interacting with government bodies;
• what legal protection mechanisms are available in case of disputes, disqualifications, or violations of agreements.
Questions ranged from legal aspects of disciplinary sanctions to international transfers and sponsorship contract nuances. This proves the growing demand for legal awareness in the sports environment — a positive trend.
Why Does This Matter Right Now?
Sports are not only about physical competition but also a fight for fairness, honesty, and transparency. Understanding the law enables professionals to protect their interests, grow in their careers, and build strong, transparent sports organizations.
Next Step — Putting Knowledge into Practice
At the end of the seminar, all participants agreed: such events should be held regularly and involve more specialists. We are already planning future meetings with in-depth discussions on topics like contract law in sports, tax regulation, sponsorship, international disputes, and much more.
“Knowing the law is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for everyone working in sports. My mission is not only to explain legal provisions but also to teach how to apply them in real life. Only then can we build a truly strong, legally literate, and competitive sports system in Kazakhstan” — Yeldos Nurlanovich Chikenov, Sports Law Expert, Legal Advisor of the Association.