Dušan Simonović, President of NOC Montenegro, hosted a Council of Europe delegation today as part of a visit conducted through the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS). The delegation included Annamarie Phelps, Ioanna Paraskevopoulou, Antonio Parilla, Anton Berens and Céline Guth.
The visit to Montenegro, taking place on 29 and 30 September, is organised in light of Montenegro’s upcoming Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Over the course of two days, the team of experts is meeting with stakeholders in the field of sport to discuss how the principles of the European Sports Charter – including sport for all, human rights, integrity, the protection of children and vulnerable groups, good governance and sustainability – are reflected in national policies and practice.
President Simonović discussed sports funding and the initiatives NOC Montenegro has submitted to the Government of Montenegro. These include the establishment of a Sports Development Fund, the allocation of revenue from games of chance, and the creation of a national body for the protection of integrity in sport, which would bring together the safeguarding of athletes and other participants in sport, the prevention of the manipulation of sports competitions, and anti-doping efforts.
Another initiative concerns dual careers and proposes a model for employing elite athletes within the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence. Simonović also discussed cooperation between NOC Montenegro and the Ministry of Sports and Youth in drafting the new Law on Sport.
The meeting also covered NOC Montenegro’s new Strategy for the 2026–2030 period, safeguarding athletes from violence and abuse, and athletes’ rights and well-being.
The delegation representatives highlighted the importance of involving umbrella sports organisations, such as NOC Montenegro, in promoting the principles of the European Sports Charter.
PHOTO GALLERY – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6fke