Sport in Hungary Structures and policies Published in 2009 II. STATE SPORTS MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND FINANCING SCHEME IN HUNGARY

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1 Sport in Hungary Structures and policies Published in 2009 I. INTRODUCTION In June 2007, the Hungarian Parliament adopted the National Sport Strategy Sports XXI encompassing the long-term sports development directions covering the period between 2007 and Within the framework of the Sports Strategy, various pilot programmes have been implemented. The action programme of the Hungarian Sports Strategy defining specific tasks for the Years 2008 and 2009 aimed at the implementation of strategic objectives identifies short-term sports development tasks along five development directions: tasks related to facility development; development of human resources, scientific and information bases for sport; leisure sports development; quality development of top sports and young talents sports; development of micro-regional sports relations. II. STATE SPORTS MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND FINANCING SCHEME IN HUNGARY a) Financing scheme Hungary s sports financing model and structure do not yet follow the models applied successfully within the European Union. Although sports financing if compared with other Member States of the Community relies on state and local governmental funds in nearly identical extents, the role of sports economy, the contribution of households to domestic production falls significantly short of EU figures. Models relying on the collaboration of public and private capital (e.g. PPP schemes) are incapable of covering such shortcomings alone. Although sponsorship capital is present in the sports market to an ever-increasing extent, it does not yet satisfy the demands of competitive sports, especially spectacle sports.

2 2 b) Organisation of sports Within the current system of Hungarian state administration, the field of sports falls within the powers of the State Secretariat for Sports within the Ministry of Local Governments. The organisational of the State Secretariat for Sports: State Secretary for Sports Department for Sports and Strategy Office of the State Secretary Department for Sports Administration Division for Top Sport and Young Talents Sports Division Sports for All and Leisure Sport Division for Strategy and Education Division for Sports Administrati on Division for Sports Facility Development Moreover, the National Institute for Talents and Sports Service Provider (NUSI) operates as a background institution of state sports management. According to the provisions of the Sports Act in force, five sports umbrella bodies are operating currently, the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB), the Hungarian Paralympic Committee (MPB), the National Sports Federation (NSSZ), the National Leisure Sports Federation (NSZSZ), and the National Sports Federation for the Disabled (FONESZ). The Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) is the traditional body of Hungarian sports, a priority public-benefit organisation by the power of law. Olympic preparation and participation are mainly supported by the state through MOB. In the spirit of integration and equal opportunities, the Sports Act sets up the Hungarian Paralympic Committee (MPB) as an independent body, which fulfils responsibilities identical to those of the Hungarian Olympic Committee in respect of Paralympics and has identical powers in respect of its sports. An additional reason for setting it up was to align the organisation of sports for the disabled with that of athletes without disabilities. The National Sports Federation (NSSZ) is a body active within competitive sports, based on voluntary membership of any national sport federation (of both Olympic and non-olympic sports). The fundamental responsibility of NSSZ is to coordinate the activities of its members, to determine the national competition calendar based on the system of competitions of its members, and to provide sports specialist, economic and legal services to sports federations. The NSSZ takes part in the activities of the European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) and organises Hungarian participation in AGFIS (General Association of International Sports Federations) World Games. The National Leisure Sports Federation is a body operating as a priority public-benefit organisation and based on voluntary membership. The National Leisure Sports Federation essentially fulfils the same responsibilities within the field of leisure sports as the National Sports Federation.

3 3 The National Sports Federation for the Disabled is a body active within the sports for the disabled, it is as a priority public-benefit organisation based on voluntary membership of disability-specific national sports federations. Any Hungarian sports association may become an ordinary member of the National Federation of Sports Clubs (SOSZ) provided that its competitors regularly take part in national adult or youth competitions. The SOSZ is responsible for representing the interests of Hungarian sports clubs and to improve their operating conditions. The SOSZ collaborates with state sports management, the Hungarian Olympic Committee and the National Sports Federation. It aims to facilitate the settlement of disputes between clubs, to promote a healthy way of life and sports, to enforce objectives set forth in the rules of the clubs. Sports bodies take part in operating the state support system along identical principles. The stipulations of the Sports Act aim to set up a simple and transparent, single-channel financing scheme. Accordingly, the operation of the financing scheme involves conciliation among the public bodies, as well as participation in the preparation of decisions. Sports bodies present a joint proposal to the minister about the main ratios, guidelines and principles of the state sports grants. The National Sports Council as a consultative, opinion-formulating organisation affiliated with the Government makes also a proposal concerning the guideliens and ratios of the distribution of state grants to sports. Moreover, it has the responsibility to draft conceptual and general proposals in the field of sports. It is composed by governmental (GO) and nongovernmental (NGO) organisations but is predominantly civilian. Two public foundations, the Wesselényi Miklós Sports Public Foundation and the Mező Ferenc Sports Public Foundation supplement the state support system. The former fulfils supports leisure sports and student sports, and operates the Gerevich Sports Scholarship scheme within competitive sports (support for athletes and training specialists); while the latter provides for the moral and financial recognition of retired former top athletes as well as their widows and widowers upon their deaths and of sports specialists involved in such achievements. Hungarian citizens having won a medal at the Olympic Games as members of the Hungarian national team either in individual or in team sports are entitled to an Olympic annuity for life above the age of thirty-five (35). Upon their death, their widows and widowers will receive this benefit if they are Hungarian citizens and have permanent residence in Hungary. Moreover, they trainer of Olympic medallists are also entitled to an annuity for life above the age of forty-five (45) for life. Pursuant to the Sports Act, the Government may award the title Athlete of the Nation and the related annuity to twelve athletes in Hungarian sports who are above 65 years of age, have reached outstanding achievements and played major roles in Hungarian sports life even after their active sports careers. c) Sport in practice In Hungary, the club sector is rather heterogeneous. The number of sports clubs registered with sports federations is approx The number of other clubs is growing continuously; there are about 7500 registered sports clubs in Hungary for the time being. The number of sports undertakings having been transformed from clubs to business organisations is estimated around 100, which are typically active in team sports. III. DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS 1. Development of human resources and scientific basis for sport

4 4 A major problem in Hungarian quality sports is the matter of coaches. The number of coaches with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge has been decreasing constantly in recent decades, and this process is threatening the success of Hungarian quality competitive sports already in the medium term. In order to halt this process, the Patron Programme was launched in 2007, which offers financial support to 31 coach pairs in 23 sports. In order to help the training of sports managers possessing up-to-date business, financial, marketing and management knowledge, the regular training of sports managers, federation staff and sports specialists has been identified as an objective. To this end, we commenced supporting trainings organized for sports managers and federation staffs in In addition to this, we also supported the regional training of micro-regional sports specialists. The continuation of the training of sports managers, federation staffs and sports specialists in different special topics is justified in all areas of the sports profession. In terms of specialist methodological materials, we have supported the production of five books in 2008 (Theory and Methodology of Training; The Foundations of Recreation; The Foundations of Personal Training; Sports economy, sports marketing; Sports law; Organisation of Sport In order to promote the Sports Strategy and to enhance the opportunities for physical activity, we have produced a methodological DVD (Change in the Way of Life Towards a Sporting Nation), which we have disseminated among sports schools, county and micro-regional governments, schools of specialist teachers, and relevant sports specialist federations. In line with the action programme, in collaboration with higher educational institutions dealing with education in sports sciences, we have elaborated a concentrated support model for sports scientific researches. An increase in the number of sports scientific research centres identified in the Sports Strategy and their networking have commenced (in higher educational institutions dealing with education in sports sciences), the continuation of which is justified even in the light of Olympic experiences. 2. Leisure sports development Surveys show that Hungarians do not devote their leisure time to sports primarily. It may be established that only 16% of the adult population engage in physical exercise from-time-totime and only 9% regularly (at least twice a week and for at least thirty minutes on each occasion). Nonetheless, surveys also show that nearly 900 thousand people would like to work out regularly in some form. A primary aim of state sports management in the medium term is to move this group willing to engage in sports. In accordance with the priorities identified in the Sports Strategy and incorporated in the action programme, particular attention shall be paid to leisure sports development. Our Pre-School Programmes announced within this scope provided support to nearly 10,000 children, 1,000 educationalists and 7,500 parents in 70 pre-schools throughout Hungary for hosting various sports programmes, training courses and health awareness days. Moreover, we supported the publication of material for parents in 1,500 pre-schools in 55,000 copies promoting a way of life rich in physical activitiy, running programmes and opportunities. The Workplace Life Shift Team Competition is underway with support from the Association for Healthier Workplaces in collaboration with the National Health Improvement Institute. Our announcement of this programme aims to offer an experience for workplace teams during the six-month competition that the may attain a better general condition through regular physical exercise and a wisely selected diet. In addition to personal benefits, teams

5 5 performing better add value to workplaces through less absence from work, a more favourable atmosphere, improved internal communication and strengthening staff collegial relations. Nordic walking is a form of motion becoming increasingly renowned throughout Europe that has outstandingly positive physiological impacts. In recognition of this, we have launched a programme jointly with the Hungarian Leisure Sports Federation and the Hungarian Hiking Federation. We have arranged our training courses on seven occasions throughout Hungary for over 100 people with relevant certification available to participants. The two organisations agreed to administer a series of events covering the entire territory of Hungary. We hope that our successful launching of the programme will allow tens of thousands of Hungarian residents to learn Nordic walking actively. Government grants to several non-governmental organisations facilitate also leisure sports activities. 1) Hungarian Student Sports Federation hosting and running the Student Olympics. 2) Hungarian University Sports Federation hosting sports championships for higher educational institutions. 3) Hungarian Hiking Federation fulfilment of specialists tasks.

6 6 Youth Sports The majority of nearly 1.5 million Hungarian students engage in physical exercise within the scope of physical education classes only. Physical education classes primarily aim to develop the motion culture and to establish the proper physical condition of children. Hungarian teenagers move very little in an international comparison, as a consequence to which their endurance shows a declining trend, even the physical condition of licensed athletes declined in recent years. In Hungary, Student Olympics date back for many decades. Student Olympics aim to offer opportunities for outstanding student competitors of certain sports to test their abilities regularly. 200 to 220 thousand children compete at the Student Olympics. The programme s success is demonstrated by the internationally recognised and successful Hungarian athletes who had first been able to prove their talents at these competitions. Moreover, we launched the Micro-Regional Student Sports Project in Autumn of 2007 in collaboration with the Hungarian Student Sports Federation. 133 organisations accounting for 1516 educational institutions attended its programmes. This series of events included running programmes, various ball games (handball, basketball, water polo, football, floor ball), other locality-specific events (tug of war, intellectual and Olympic history quizzes), water sports, nature walks, outdoor sports (duathlon, triathlon, cross-country running, cycling), table tennis, badminton, martial arts and other sports days, school sports weeks.. Approx. 80 to 90 thousand children attended these programmes, which shows that interest towards leisure sports activities is high. Children welcome the organizations of well-animated sports programmes mobilising teachers, students and parents equally. Non-governmental and governmental efforts are combined in the current elaboration of the student sports reform concept ensuring the integration of talents into quality junior top sport programmes as well as extra-curricular sports opportunities. Our reform of student sports essentially aims to offer children an opportunity for engaging in regular physical activity. Supporting sport in higher education Within the scope of financing sport in higher education, we support sports clubs affiliated with schools training sports specialists; we support university sports championships at national and international level through the Hungarian University Sports Federation. For the sake of leisure sports development, we have embarked on the elaboration of reforming the leisure sports at universities. The Hungarian University Sports Federation has elaborated a proposal for pilot projects in eight partner institutions. Within the framework of this project, eight universities and colleges receive support in order to give priority to their selected leisure sports in university sports life. Sports for the disabled Sports for the disabled may serve as an efficient tool of social integration. The number of registered athletes with disabilities varies around 10,000. Their national competitions are mostly hosted by disability-specific sports federations and member organisations thereof; however, certain sports are featured within the system of competitions for athletes without disabilities. Integration within sports is an international tendency, inclination towards which is ever increasing in Hungary as well. Support to sports for the disabled includes support to the functioning of the two national disabled sport bodies, six disability-specific national federations and twenty county federations organised with a view to sports for the disabled, and to national and international

7 7 events hosted by them, as well as to preparation for and participation in such events. Support is provided to clubs in charge of preparing the competitors and also to student and leisure sports events. With a view to enhancing equal opportunities and physical activities defined by the Sports Strategy, we commenced the implementation of the programme Micro-Regional Leisure Sports Model for the Disabled. Sports for disadvantaged target groups In addition to the above national programmes, supporting disadvantaged groups is a major responsibility. The Moonlight Programme aims to engage the time and attention of youth at risk through free, mainly evening and night sports programmes (e.g. table tennis). Clubs offer programmes influencing the way of life of disadvantaged youth in a positive way and operating as clubhouses throughout Hungary. The programmes hosted mostly Friday and Saturday nights are supplemented by summer camps offering long-distance canoeing, cycling, excursions and table tennis as pastimes for disadvantaged youth. We support the international matches and the preparation of the Hungarian Gipsy Football Team, the organisation of and preparation for junior events of the same national team, which facilitates the integration of the Rom population and the provision of equal opportunities. Within the framework of the European Cup for Children s Homes, we are able to contribute to regular sports opportunities for disabled children living in foster homes. Prevention publications The Hungarian Physiotherapy Society joined the prevention programme of state sports management through its programme called Prevention Exercise Books for Family Physicians. Our programme aims to disseminate information related to illnesses, to target groups directly in prevention or secondary prevention, and to offer to family physicians a series of motoric therapies for health preservation.. 3. Top sports and young talents In Hungary, competitive sports primarily focus on the Olympics. We have about 240,000 licensed athletes, about half of them being junior. Sports mobilising the most young athletes and spectators are ball games similarly to international trends. State sports management launched an exemplary youth scheme a few years ago, which created the Sports XXI Youth Programme and the Heracles Champion and Star Programme. In line with the stipulations of the Sports Strategy, we aim to improve quality further and to widen the basis for sports with major state relevance, to support the implementation of sports strategy development concepts, to ensure the continuous training of sports specialists. We support nearly 80 sports federations; we offer specialist workshop support to 170 clubs in 25 sports and provide operating support to 55 sports clubs with decisive impact on the success of Hungarian sports. In the new government structure, the areas of sports and tourism are now under joint ministerial control. Consequently a collaboration closer than ever before commenced in 2007, when coordinated support was proposed for international sports events to be hosted in 2007 in Hungary that carry particular significance in terms of tourism.

8 8 The key to success in top sports is a youth programme strengthened with appropriate professional background and the required infrastructure conditions. We attribute particular importance to this area and therefore, we run several young talents training programmes. Sports XXI Youth Programme We run this talent spotting and mentoring programme with a dual purpose. One the one hand, we increase the number of children engaged in sports and provide equal opportunities for talents spotting. On the other hand, we lay down the foundation for quality training. The Programme is expected to provide various outcomes for the age group between 6 and 14 years of age depending on the individual, the motivations and the circumstances. The Programme provides state support to 13 sports (track and field, kayak and canoe, handball, basketball, boxing, tennis, fencing, water polo, football, chess, volleyball, swimming, triathlon) for the time being, owing to which we support sports for around 50 to 60 thousand children annually. Heracles Programmes As the first component of our new young talents Strategy, the programme was launched in 2001, which is already managing twenty Olympic sports today (table tennis, track and field, wrestling, rowing, ice-hockey, judo, kayak and canoe, handball, basketball, boxing, pentathlon, volleyball, shooting, weightlifting, tennis, women s and men s gymnastics, triathlon, swimming, fencing and water polo). The project assists the initial stages of a successful long-term career of the most talented athletes between 14 and 23 years of age, primarily through the provision of regular training camps and framework exercises, employing full-time coaches directing the programmes, and scientific measurements and tests. The success of this programme is indicated by the international success of participating age groups having improved even better than expected. Large numbers of athletes leaving the programme are selected for adult national teams. SPORT Results of athletes participating in Heracles Programmes in 2008 European Championships World Championships I II III IV V VI VII VIII I II III IV V VI VII VIII Altogether Table tennis Track and field Wrestling Rowing Ice-hockey Judo Kayak and canoe Handball Basketball Boxing Modern pentathlon Volleyball Shooting

9 9 Weightlifting Tennis Men s gymnastics Women s gymnastics Triathlon Swimming Fencing Water polo Altogether Sports schools The sports academic framework curriculum was produced under the direction of the National Institute for Young Talents and was launched in February The curriculum of general subjects was elaborated by the Csanádi Árpád Elementary and Secondary School, while the currently 28 sports modules were developed by the sports federations. 62 public educational institutions have started education under the new framework curriculum since The sports academic framework curriculum ensures the fulfilment of study obligations by the students as well. The appearance of sports schools of public education type brought along a new type of institution that opens opportunities for sports specialist advancement.

10 10 4. Calls for applications 4.1. Calls for applications opened directly for sports organisations Get moving, Hungary! Programme The call aims to support national events, series of events, leisure sports events promoting a healthy way of life mobilising large masses (min people). Within the scope of this call, we support 117 events in Open Doors Programme In order to improve the physical condition of the population, to ensure wide-ranging opportunities for regular physical activities, i.e. recreational sports, we continued the Open Doors Programme in 2008 as well. We aim to provide opportunities for various age groups, circle of friends and colleagues, families to take advantage of sports facilities free of charge through financial support to afternoon, evening and weekend open hours of sports facilities. Ten Thousand Steps Programme This national programme has been running for four years. Our aim is that organizations participating in the programme host walking events for their members at least 20 times a year; thus, encouraging them to engage in regular physical workout. Within the scope of this programme, walking clubs are set up and the programmes of existing clubs are rendered more attractive through the delivery of step counters. In 2007, 110 mainly pensioner organisations took part in the programme nationally; this meant regular community walks by over 12,600 people. Based on recent data, 19,000 regular participants will be part of the programme in 2009 within the scope of 157 organisations Calls for sports applications for micro-regions In terms of public administration, the Republic of Hungary comprises 19 counties, including 173 micro-regions and the capital, Budapest. These micro-regions have been set up through partnerships of communities within their respective areas with the aim of implementing more successful development in collaboration with each other. Sports state management targeted micro-regions as strategic partners in recent years through call for thematic sports applications opened from them. Complex micro-regional youth sport camps programme Through a complex micro-regional camping programme, we aim to promote all positive sports functions among the youth. Within the scope of the programme, we support the implementation of daytime sports camps, residential sports camps, wandering camps and forest sports camps. The camps of at least seven days may be classified into five categories by their target groups: 1) U18 assistance camps, 2) camps for beach sports, 3) camps for outdoor sports, 4) camps for disabled children, 5) complex camps covering IT and/or language training in addition to physical exercise. Within the framework of this programme, we supported the summer camps of nearly 12,000 children in the past two years. Micro-regional leisure sports programme Hungarian sports have been characterised by a peculiar duality for decades. Our top athletes have been returning with medals from major world events regularly; thus, gaining recognition from the sports-loving audience of the world. Simultaneously with this, however, the physical activity of Hungarian society falls way short of the desired extent. In order to eliminate this duality, the Sports Strategy adopted in 2007 puts great emphasis on increasing the activity of

11 11 the Hungarian population and on providing the conditions required for passing leisure time rich in movement. Within the scope of the complex micro-regional leisure sports programme launched in 2007, we offer support to the implementation of events taking place regularly that offer opportunities for community sports, amateur competitions, quizzes, tests and tours for the inhabitants of micro-regions with wide-ranging participation. In recent decades, similarly to European states, ageing became a main societal issue in Hungary. The impacts of this negative phenomenon may already be felt today since one third of Hungary s population, approx. 3 million are retired. Movement may play an important role in improving the quality of old-age life, in motoric rehabilitation, in preventing the development of motoric illnesses. In recognition of the importance of this, we launched our senior sport programme two years ago, which supports events and series of events for people above 50 years of age that offer opportunities within an organised framework for physical activity, acquaintance with a healthy way of life, useful and above all active pastime for the senior age group. Additional funds are available for supporting a way of life rich in motion within the framework of the National Health Care Programme implemented with EU funding. Thanks to our calls for applications, over 1 million people engaged in active physical exercise from pre-schoolers to pensioners. In order to assist micro-regional programmes, the Micro-regional sports and leisure strategy breaking down the principles and priorities of the Sports XXI National Sports Strategy into the micro-regional level and identifying solution alternatives was completed at the end of The micro-regional sports strategy aims to improve the quality of life, to establish a healthy way of life, to enhance and administer within an organised framework leisure sports affecting the physical activity of the population positively, to widen the scope and increase the number of participants in line with the national sports strategy, the national health care programme and the national tourism development strategy. We must endeavour to reach an increase in the number of people engaged in regular physical activities within a few years, the regular presence of physically active communities in microregions, which will have a positive impact on both the nation s public health care and the preservation of health. Upon completion of the micro-regional sports and leisure strategy, we embarked on the drafting of micro-regional sports and leisure strategies in 14 micro-regions with a view to local specificities (micro-regions being the most active in our micro-regional programmes have been selected). Within the framework of the programme, we get precise pictures and details of sports opportunities and sports life in the selected 14 micro-regions. The documents delivered at the end of the project will feature programme/project proposals suitable for producing a call for applications and thus for applying for EU funds.

12 12 5. Sports health care, anti-doping efforts The National Sports Health Care Institute fulfils sports health care responsibilities for the time being. The National Sports Health Care Institute (OSEI) provides for sports health care screening tests, nutrition consulting to the members of the national team for various sports and the athletes designated by the Hungarian Special Olympics Committee that are not financed by their social insurance coverage and supports the employment of physicians, masseurs, sports masseurs, physiotherapists and sports psychologists of the national teams against the funds rendered available to it. Moreover, the funds have been spent for anti-doping awareness campaigns, educational activities, operation of the sports genomic laboratory, institutional instrumental investments, purchasing and publication of sports health care publications, and for provision of sports medical care in Olympic centres. In addition to this, the OSEI takes part in the provision of sports health care services for the sports federations proposed by the Hungarian Olympic Committee. Within the framework of international anti-doping cooperation, we monitor the anti-doping activities and take part in the work of international and European organisations on an ongoing basis in parallel with the required legislative responsibilities. Regular international anti-doping consultations take place at the joint meetings of sessions of the Council of Europe s Anti-doping Convention Monitoring Group and the World Antidoping Agency, as well the regular meetings of EU sports directors and sports ministers. Within the scope of its anti-doping activity, based on the opinion of the National Anti-doping Coordination Board set up for the coordination of the activities of anti-doping organisations, the Ministry contracted the company fulfilling the responsibilities of the national anti-doping organisation (HUNADO). The Ministry supports the doping controls of athletes without prior notification within the so-called registered testing group performed by the HUNADO based on their outstanding sports achievements (the costs of analysing the A samples) and to antidoping awareness-raising and educational activities. In addition to liaising with international organisations, the Ministry cooperates with national anti-doping organisations. 6. Responsibilities related to facility development Although the state operates less than 5% of the approx. 8,000 sports facilities in Hungary, this refers to the scope of facilities determining competitive and young talents sports. The asset management of the central sports facility system (Olympic centres, priority sports facilities and other property used for sports purposes) is performed by a separate budgetary agency overseen by central sports management, the National Institute for Young Talents and Sports Services. The aim is to elaborate a sports facility structure suitable for supporting Hungarian sports development effectively that satisfies demands identified on the basis of the sports strategy while conforms to market economy requirements and facilitates the prevalence of a modern specialist ownership approach. The vast majority of sports facilities are owned by local governments; most sports facilities are found in communities with populations below 2,500 (45%), while the capital city hosts 23%, towns of county rank host 23% and other settlement share 9%. In addition to minor renovations performed in six Olympic centres in the last decade, the Papp László Budapest Sports Arena (2003) and the Széchy Tamás Swimming Pool (2006) were built, 19 football stadiums were reconstructed or upgraded, and the delivery and acceptance of 37 training pools and gymnasiums are currently underway within the

13 13 framework of so-called PPP (Public Private Partnership) programmes. Based on the National Sports Strategy, the so-called Magic Gate Model was elaborated in 2008, which aimed to set up a set of multifunctional buildings offering complex services, operated in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner adapting to local specificities and improving collaborations, offering a stage for NGOs and serving as the background for pastimes, while allowing for the improvement of the quality of life through engagement of EU funds at both the microregional and the regional levels. The preparation of pilot projects within this programme defined with a view to best national and international examples is currently in progress. In 2008, state sports management announced the Infrastructure development of beach sports programme aimed at supporting the establishment or renovation of sandy sports grounds suitable for useful pastime activities in line with local specificities and equipped as required in order to promote beach sports accessible to people. 64 beach grounds were constructed within the framework of this call for applications. 7. Sports IT systems In 2007, we launched the Micro-regional Sports Information System (KSR) responsible for establishing operational information capital and for generating databases, for rapid IT-based exchange and utilisation of information. The system will feature all major sports-related information of the particular micro-region. The government is coordinating the current elaboration and development of the National Sports Information System encompassing the entirety of sports. We aim to create and operate a user-friendly central electronic platform that provides assistance through its incorporated database to decision preparation, control, management of own data from data suppliers, central electronic management of calls for applications, and offers several services and information of public interest to NGOs working in the area of sports and to those interested in sports. 8. International relations In the first half of 2011, Hungary will take the presidency of the European Union as a member of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio. Collaboration between the members of the trio affecting the area of sports is ongoing among the representatives of the three countries. In addition to this, we are currently taking part in the following international programmes, projects and working groups: - EU sports directors and informal sports minister meetings and working groups, - Council of Europe Standing Committee on the European Convention on Spectator Violence at Sports Events, - Council of Europe Monitoring Committee on the Anti-doping Convention, - ad hoc regional expert meetings in a current topic, - UNESCO International Anti-doping Convention Meeting for Signatory States, - partaking in the work of the World Anti-Doping Agency through European representatives, - Enlarged Partial Agreement of Sport of the Council of Europe, - EU Sports Future Project (in 2009),

14 14 - Olympic Hopes Competition (V4 countries), - Danube Cup (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary). Contact details Ministry of Local Governments Specialist State Secretariat for Sports sport.szat@otm.gov.hu web site: telephone: Approved by: Ottó TÖRÖK State Secretary for Sports