COP proposes strengthening maternity protection in the revision of the Bases Law

O The Olympic Committee of Portugal (COP) presented a set of proposals for the revision of the Sports Bases Act, including the protection of athletes' maternity and the creation of an autonomous system of patronage.

According to the COP, the document presented to the Government, whose main proposals have been released today, is the result of a process of analysis and reflection, complemented by a consultation of sports federations and other members, and includes two annexes with specific contributions, including 17 proposals for the modernisation of sports facilities.

According to the Olympic body, “one of the measures advocated is the express inclusion of the maternity of sports practitioners in the Bases Act, in order to prevent situations of economic disprotection and prevent pregnancy and motherhood from unjustifiably damaging the continuity of careers”.

“COP considers that these situations require a framework that takes into account the specificities of professional sport and high performance, in which a temporary interruption of competitive activity may have significant consequences,” says a note from the body.

In the field of sports integrity, the COP proposes to extend the legal concept, “associating the defense of the truth and the regularity of competitions to protect the dignity, security and physical and psychological integrity of participants”.

“ The review should address a clearer response to phenomena such as competition manipulation, harassment, abuse and other forms of violence, by strengthening prevention and training, including in the preparation of trainers”, reads the document.

The COP also aims “to strengthen the protection of federative activities and competitions, preventing organized initiatives outside the federative system from benefiting from the projection and recognition of a modality without meeting the applicable technical, organisational, security and integrity requirements.”.

In the fiscal sphere, the COP advocates the creation of an autonomous regime of sports patronage, inspired by the solutions envisaged for cultural patronage, but adapted to the specifics of the sector.

Among the measures proposed are the general increase in the value of donations, the increase in the limit of deductibility, incentives for multiannual commitments and the creation of a simplified micro-mecenate scheme.

The body also intends to integrate sport into the National Platform of the Mecenate, with the aim of mobilizing more private investment for the development of sports activity.

In terms of financing, the COP advocates a model “that allows organisations to plan their activity in the medium and long term by proposing structural reinforcement of public investment, and the re-evaluation of the allocation and distribution of revenue from social games and sports betting”.

The body that oversees the Olympic movement in Portugal, also proposes the creation of a National Digital Register of Sports Facilities, and presented proposals for the volunteering regime.

The document addresses, according to the COP, “the conditions for the performance of management functions, associated risks and burdens, access to training and recognition of acquired skills” and considers it “important to create conditions to attract, retain and renew those responsible for sports organisations, valuing the role of voluntary leaders in the functioning of the system.

The proposal also includes “strengthening the articulation between schools, school sports, clubs, federations and local authorities, seeking to improve the identification and development of talents and facilitate the reconciliation between the educational and sports paths of young people”.

The Basics Act of Physical Activity and Sport (Law No. 5/2007) in force dates from January 2007 and is subject to a review process, together with other structuring diplomas in the sports sector.