MESGO convention signed at UEFA HQ

A convention creating a new Executive Master in European Sport Governance (MESGO) has been signed at UEFA's headquarters.

Coming together
Under the Executive Master Programme, key stakeholders of European sport will come together to analyse the characteristics of its specific model, its main challenges and measures that could be put in place to ensure its future prosperity.

Partners
The course is supported by a number of academic bodies: Birkbeck Sports Business Centre, Birkbeck College, University of London; Centre de Droit et d'Economie du Sport, Université de Limoges; Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz; Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya, University of Lleida; Sciences Po Paris. In addition, team sport partners – UEFA, European Handball Federation (EHF), International Basketball Federation – Europe (FIBA – Europe), European Rugby Association (FIRA – AER) – are giving their backing. Representatives from the various bodies were at the signing ceremony.

Unique characteristics
The programme is addressed at managers from national and international sport federations, clubs, leagues, European institutions and governments or partners of sport organisations. Its unique characteristics include an emphasis on the European dimension, a multi-disciplinary approach and an in-depth analysis of legal, political and economic issues.

UEFA's full support
"The Executive Master in European Sport Governance (MESGO) is a unique platform for training, social and professional contact, knowledge sharing and personal development for sports organisations' elected representatives and managerial staff," said UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino. "Pioneered by five internationally renowned universities and research centres, it naturally has UEFA's full support.

Strive for excellence
"I think we all have something in common in our different organisations, be it on the academic side or sporting side," Mr Infantino said in welcoming those present at the ceremony. "We always try for excellence, and good governance is something that we take very seriously in our work every day – how to manage and run our sports at European level. It's very important for our top executives to have a level of training and excellence that they need."

Contact details
The first intake of participants is expected for the 2010/11 academic year. Further information on the programme can be obtained online on mesgo.org, via email to MESGO co-ordinators info@mesgo.org, or by calling +33 1 45 49 63 22.