A survey about the delayed law

(published in the Slovak daily Sport)

The Ministry of Education has finally shown some activity in the area of sports. In connection with the upcoming sports law, it published a public survey. Both the expert and general public have been invited to join the discussion. First, a bit of promotion: until Monday, even readers of Sport can respond to the questions on the ministry’s website. It might bring an instant sense of involvement.

Let’s shed some light on the facts about the sports law. By a government resolution on the “Concept of State Policy in Sports – Slovak Sport 2020” from December 19, 2012, the Minister of Education was tasked with preparing a new sports law to take effect on January 1, 2014. That deadline has since shifted. Since December 2012, the ministry has not come forward with any proposals for significant changes in sports policy. A new minister recently took office, but so far, he hasn’t made any notable statements about sports either.

Surveys can be useful not only for sociologists but perhaps also for ministries. But how can this particular survey—meant to be published along with policy proposals a year and a half ago, and with only six working days allowed for responses—possibly influence the decisions of a sensible minister? Even if hundreds of people respond, it won’t matter. It may serve only as a smokescreen.

In terms of content, most of the questions are fine, but some miss the point. For example, asking whether the law should define the employment relationship of athletes according to EU standards - meaning professionals in team sports would become employees. Even if 100% of clubs replied, “We don’t want EU standards, we’re happy with the current setup,” such answers wouldn’t influence the proposer.

What’s the way forward? After a press conference, the minister could submit the draft law for interdepartmental review. Another option is to launch a public expert debate based on the survey results before the law is officially published. In the following months, various expert forums, workshops, and seminars should follow. Only in this scenario could the discussion meaningfully shape the final version of the law, as noted by a Sport Daily commentator (November 4), helping clarify and agree on several controversial issues. But would there still be time to pass a solid sports law before the next election?

It’s almost certain that the survey will be evaluated in a nice Excel spreadsheet—that much the ministry can handle. After that comes the real challenge: the questions and key decisions that should have been made in the first half of the government’s term. Let’s pose those questions in the form of a survey. Is the Minister of Education capable of pushing through changes in favour of sport:
a) only with the Finance Minister
b) with the Finance, Defense, and Interior Ministers
c) with no government colleague at all?

And here’s a follow-up: realistically assessing his chances of success, will the minister whose law is now almost a year overdue
a) submit the draft as prepared by the working group
b) edit and submit it just to fulfill his duty
c) not submit it at all and leave the fate of sport to the next government?

Expectations in the sports community regarding the law are high; the available information so far is lacking. I wish the minister the best in making the right decisions.